A little help. Your own aha.

Connections #507
hints & answers for October 30, 2024

Keep the satisfaction of the solve. Get a nudge for one group, reveal a category, or check the answers at your own pace.

This reference always shows October 30, 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.

Yellow group

Straightforward

1/4
First-letter clue

Look for four entries beginning with B, R, S and S. These initials are in sorted order.

Show one word

BOOM belongs in this group.

Reveal the category

UPSWING

Reveal all four words
  • BOOM
  • RISE
  • SPIKE
  • SURGE

Green group

A little trickier

2/4
First-letter clue

Look for four entries beginning with D, R, S and W. These initials are in sorted order.

Show one word

DOLLY belongs in this group.

Reveal the category

THINGS WITH WHEELS

Reveal all four words
  • DOLLY
  • ROLLERBLADE
  • SKATEBOARD
  • WAGON

Blue group

More challenging

3/4
First-letter clue

Look for four entries beginning with D, E, G and P. These initials are in sorted order.

Show one word

DUCT belongs in this group.

Reveal the category

KINDS OF TAPE

Reveal all four words
  • DUCT
  • ELECTRICAL
  • GAFFER
  • PACKING

Purple group

Wordplay & surprises

4/4
First-letter clue

Look for four entries beginning with B, I, K and S. These initials are in sorted order.

Show one word

BEST BOY belongs in this group.

Reveal the category

RETAIL CHAINS WITH A LETTER CHANGED

Reveal all four words
  • BEST BOY
  • IDEA
  • KRONER
  • STABLES
Show categories only
  • Yellow: UPSWING
  • Green: THINGS WITH WHEELS
  • Blue: KINDS OF TAPE
  • Purple: RETAIL CHAINS WITH A LETTER CHANGED

Ready for the full solution?

All four categories and their words, together.

Reveal all four answers

Yellow

UPSWING

BOOM · RISE · SPIKE · SURGE

Green

THINGS WITH WHEELS

DOLLY · ROLLERBLADE · SKATEBOARD · WAGON

Blue

KINDS OF TAPE

DUCT · ELECTRICAL · GAFFER · PACKING

Purple

RETAIL CHAINS WITH A LETTER CHANGED

BEST BOY · IDEA · KRONER · STABLES

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.

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.