Yellow group
Straightforward
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with C, D, R and S. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
COMB belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
RUMMAGE
Reveal all four words
- COMB
- DIG
- ROOT
- SIFT
A little help. Your own aha.
Connections #491
hints & answers for October 14, 2024
Keep the satisfaction of the solve. Get a nudge for one group, reveal a category, or check the answers at your own pace.
#491
This reference always shows October 14, 2024. It is released in at least one timezone; every answer stays closed until you reveal it.
Which group has you stuck?
Pick a colour. Reveal one step at a time.
1/4
Green group
A little trickier
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with C, P, R and R. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
CLAP belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
SOUNDS OF THUNDER
Reveal all four words
- CLAP
- PEAL
- ROLL
- RUMBLE
Blue group
More challenging
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with B, B, P and T. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
BRAID belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
WAYS TO WEAR YOUR HAIR UP
Reveal all four words
- BRAID
- BUN
- PONY
- TWIST
Purple group
Wordplay & surprises
First-letter clue
Look for four entries beginning with B, S, T and T. These initials are in sorted order.
Show one word
BOOK belongs in this group.
Reveal the category
THINGS THAT CAN HAVE LEAVES
Reveal all four words
- BOOK
- SALAD
- TABLE
- TREE
Show categories only
- Yellow: RUMMAGE
- Green: SOUNDS OF THUNDER
- Blue: WAYS TO WEAR YOUR HAIR UP
- Purple: THINGS THAT CAN HAVE LEAVES
Ready for the full solution?
All four categories and their words, together.
Reveal all four answers
Yellow
RUMMAGE
COMB · DIG · ROOT · SIFT
Green
SOUNDS OF THUNDER
CLAP · PEAL · ROLL · RUMBLE
Blue
WAYS TO WEAR YOUR HAIR UP
BRAID · BUN · PONY · TWIST
Purple
THINGS THAT CAN HAVE LEAVES
BOOK · SALAD · TABLE · TREE
This puzzle’s recorded solution
The date and puzzle number identify this exact board. Use the individual group controls to compare its recorded categories and words, then return to the archive to find another puzzle.
Continue from this date
About the answers and hints
Categories and answers follow the recorded NYT puzzle. Our hints are independent: some are original category clues, while others give the first letters of the four words. Each hint is labelled so you can choose how much help to take.
Group colours follow the puzzle’s yellow, green, blue and purple order, from the most straightforward to the trickiest. Your own experience may differ. The reference tiles may appear in a different order from your game. Picture puzzles have separately hidden descriptions, since a description can give away the wordplay.
The daily page starts with the UTC puzzle date and, with JavaScript enabled, checks the puzzle for your local time zone. Every reveal starts closed when the date changes. Play Connections at The New York Times or contact us about a correction.