Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle , and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

Direct meaning

Expressing opinions clearly, plainly and without beating around the bush.

Frank meaning

Speaking or acting with sincerity and directness,

Open meaning

Not closed, blocked, sealed or covered

Vocal meaning

Relating to, produced by, or intended for the human voice or speech.

Driver meaning

A computer program that controls hardware.

Extension meaning

An extra part or…