The New York Times Connections puzzle for September 6, 2026, is number 1183. Today’s challenge features a mix of hardware terminology, linguistic redundancies, and phrases regarding autonomy.
Hints for Today’s Connections
If you prefer to find the connections yourself, these progressive hints can point you in the right direction without revealing the full categories immediately.
- Yellow: These words all describe having the power to do as one pleases without interference.
- Green: Think about the physical inputs and hardware found on a laptop or desktop computer.
- Blue: This group identifies a common linguistic habit where a word is repeated even though it is already included in an abbreviation.
- Purple: Look at the second word in each phrase; they all relate to different methods of dividing or marking something.
Stronger Clues for Each Group
If you need more specific help to narrow down the remaining tiles:
- Yellow: One of these terms is French, and another is often misspelled as “reign,” though it actually refers to a horse’s bridle.
- Green: These are all places where you would plug in a device or insert media.
- Blue: If you say “Automated Teller Machine Machine,” you are using one of these.
- Purple: This group contains terms like “Slice,” “Scribe,” and “Score.”
SPOILER WARNING: The full solutions for Connections #1183 follow below. Only continue reading if you want to see the completed groups and answers.
Connections Answers for Sept. 6, #1183
Yellow: Unrestricted Permission
CARTE BLANCHE, FREE REIN, FULL AUTHORITY, SAY-SO
This group focuses on the power to make decisions. Notably, the puzzle uses the correct spelling of FREE REIN. While often confused with “reign” (referring to a monarch’s rule), the term originates from giving a horse “free rein” to move without restriction.
Green: Computer Ports
CARD SLOT, HEADPHONE JACK, OPTICAL DRIVE, USB PORT
These four items are standard hardware components used to connect external devices or read physical media on a computer.
Blue: Abbreviations Followed by Redundant Word
ATM MACHINE, LCD DISPLAY, PIN NUMBER, UPC CODE
This group represents a linguistic phenomenon known as RAS Syndrome (Redundant Acronym Syndrome). In each case, the final word is already contained within the abbreviation (e.g., the “M” in ATM stands for “Machine”).
Purple: Words Ending with Ways to Cut
COURT SCRIBE, DIRECTOR’S CUT, PIZZA SLICE, SAT SCORE
The connecting theme here is that the second word in each entry—Scribe, Cut, Slice, and Score—is a method of carving, marking, or dividing a surface.
