APPLE
×14 in archive
APPLE appears often as a fruit anchor or as part of tech/brand purple groups.
FruitsTech brandsIdioms with core
ORANGEBANANACHERRYGRAPE
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Decoy word guide
Connections Trap Words
These connections trap words (and connections homograph cases) are from 57 saved puzzles. Filter by type, tap a card to replay that day, or open the word wiki.
Pick a trap type
One spelling, two or more unrelated meanings — like BANK (river vs money) or LIGHT (brightness vs weight). NYT loves leaving these for last.
Spot it: You can sort three words into a clean category, but the fourth fits a completely different sense of the same word.
Tip: Before submitting, say the suspicious word aloud with each possible meaning.
Homograph · 28
LIGHT
×12 in archive
LIGHT is one of the most common trap words in Connections.
IlluminationThings that are light in weightCompound wordsLAMPFEATHERBEERSPEEDBOARD
×9 in archive
BOARD spans skateboards, cutting boards, and corporate boards of directors—classic purple misdirection material.
Wood panelsSports equipmentCorporate rolesPLANKSKATEDIRECTORGAMERING
×2 in archive
RING connects jewelry, phone calls, and boxing arenas.
JewelryPhone verbsBoxing venuePHONECIRCLEBOXINGDOORSPRING
×2 in archive
SPRING is a triple-meaning word: season, coil, and water source.
SeasonsMechanical partsWater sourcesSEASONCOILWATERJUMPSTOCK
×2 in archive
STOCK appeared 2 times in our last 60 puzzles.
SECURITIESCUSTOMARYBONDFUTUREOPTIONCOMMONBACK
×1 in archive
BALL
×1 in archive
BANK
×1 in archive
BANK is a classic homograph trap word.
Financial institutionsGeographyHomographsRIVERVAULTLOANSAVINGSBEAR
×1 in archive
BEAR links financial markets (bear vs bull), wild animals, and verbs meaning to carry or endure.
Stock market animalsWild animalsVerbs meaning carryBULLMARKETGRIZZLYCARRYBOW
×1 in archive
BOW appeared once in our last 60 puzzles.
THINGS IN A VIOLIN CASEMUTEROSINSHOULDER RESTCARD SLOT
×1 in archive
CARD SLOT appeared once in our last 60 puzzles.
PLACES TO INSERT SOMETHING INTO ON A COMPUTERHEADPHONE JACKOPTICAL DRIVEUSB PORT
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Trap words FAQ
What are connections trap words?+
Words that look like they fit two groups. We tag homographs, purple decoys, and splits with real puzzle examples.
Connections homograph examples?+
Same spelling, different meaning — BANK, SPRING, LIGHT. Browse them here and cross-check connections word frequency for words that keep showing up.
Use traps while you play
On the homepage solver, trap words in your grid are highlighted in amber. Tap any word for co-occurrence history and category hints before you burn a mistake.