Word Groups is a free online word group puzzle game you can play instantly in your browser, no download, no account, and no daily wait for a new grid. Each puzzle lays out 16 words in a grid, and your job is to sort them into 4 hidden groups of 4 by spotting what connects each set — a shared category, a compound word pattern, or a sneakier wordplay link like homophones or double meanings. Select 4 words and submit your guess: get it right and the group locks in place with its connection revealed; get it wrong and the tiles reset so you can try again, with a "one away" nudge when you are close. Play through 15 levels that ramp up the trickiness, from levels 1-5's clean, unambiguous categories, through levels 6-10's compound-word and thematic overlaps, up to levels 11-15's red-herring sets built on homophones and double meanings. It is a free word group game with unlimited puzzles, not a single daily grid, so you can play one round or fifteen any time you like.
How to play Word Groups
- Each puzzle shows 16 words in a grid. Somewhere among them are 4 hidden groups of 4 words that each share a connection.
- Select 4 words by tapping their tiles, then press Submit to guess.
- A correct guess locks that group into place above the grid and reveals its category name.
- A wrong guess clears your selection — a "One away" message means 3 of your 4 words belong to the same group.
- Find all 4 groups to clear the level and unlock the next; mistakes are tracked but never end the round, so you can keep guessing.
- Use Shuffle to rearrange the remaining tiles if a layout is throwing you off, or Deselect All to start your guess over.
Tips
- Start with the group you are most confident about — locking in one category makes the remaining 12 words easier to sort.
- Watch for words that could plausibly fit more than one category; puzzles from Level 11 onward lean on exactly that kind of red herring.
- A "One away" result is valuable information — swap out just one word from that guess rather than starting over from scratch.
- Category names are hints too: a category like "Precedes STORM" or "Homophones of Letters" tells you exactly what pattern to look for.
FAQ
Is Word Groups free to play?
Yes. It's a free word group game in your browser with no download, no account, and no in-game purchases.
Is there a new puzzle every day?
No — this is unlimited practice-mode play. There are 15 curated puzzles across 15 levels, and you can replay any unlocked level any time rather than waiting for a daily reset.
What happens if I guess wrong?
Nothing is lost — the tiles reset so you can try again. A "One away" message tells you when 3 of your 4 selected words belong to the same group.
Does Word Groups work on mobile?
Yes — tap to select words and tap Submit, so it plays the same on phones, tablets, and desktop with no download required.
Is Word Groups the same as Connections?
Word Groups uses the same Connections-style mechanic — sort 16 words into 4 hidden groups of 4 by their shared connection — but it is its own free, browser-based puzzle, not affiliated with any other publisher's game. It ships as 15 curated practice-mode levels instead of one shared puzzle a day, so you can play as many rounds as you like.
How many levels does Word Groups have?
There are 15 levels. The first 5 use clear, unambiguous categories, the middle levels add compound-word and thematic overlaps, and the last 5 lean on homophones and red-herring wordplay.