This NYT Connections puzzle (#583, January 14, 2025) presents a challenging word-sorting task. Sixteen words must be categorized, requiring careful consideration and minimal errors. Even experienced players might find this puzzle difficult. This guide provides hints and solutions.

Puzzle Words: Working, Session, Body, Crowd, Puffing, Running, Swank, Flash, Sitting, Active, Gully, Period, Strap, Meeting, Functional, Lens.

General Hints:

1. The word groups do not relate to exercise.
2. "Gully" and "Puffing" belong together.
3. "Body" and "Flash" share a category.

Category Hints and Solutions:

Yellow Category (Easy): The clue is "The machines are ____ as intended."

• Answer: Operating
• Words: Active, Functional, Running, Working

Green Category (Medium): The clue suggests "A duration, a semester, perhaps."

• Answer: Term
• Words: Meeting, Period, Session, Sitting

Blue Category (Hard): The clue hints at "Everything you need to take a photo (and more!)"

• Answer: Things in a Camera Kit
• Words: Body, Flash, Lens, Strap

Purple Category (Tricky): The clue states that the category becomes clear only after removing the final letter from each word.

• Answer: Bird + Letter
• Words: Crowd, Gully, Puffing, Swank

Complete Solution:

• Yellow - Operating: Active, Functional, Running, Working
• Green - Term: Meeting, Period, Session, Sitting
• Blue - Things in a Camera Kit: Body, Flash, Lens, Strap
• Purple - Bird + Letter: Crowd, Gully, Puffing, Swank

To play, visit the New York Times Games Connections website.