The New York Times' popular word-based puzzle game, Connections, has released its latest challenge for October 9, #486. This game, which has gained immense popularity since its beta phase in June 2023, requires players to sort 16 given words into four groups based on a common thread or connection. The difficulty levels of the groups are represented by different colors: yellow (easiest), green, blue, and purple (most challenging).
For those struggling to find the connections, here are some hints and tips to help solve today's puzzle. The yellow group, which is the easiest, revolves around the theme of 'effervescence.' The four words in this group are bubbles, fizz, foam, and froth. The green group is about 'burgeon,' with the words blossom, develop, mature, and progress. The blue group is related to music publications, including Billboard, Mojo, Pitchfork, and Spin. Finally, the purple group involves tableware ending with specific words like boilerplate, buttercup, jackknife, and Witherspoon.
Players can also use the Connections Bot to receive a numeric score and have the program analyze their answers. Additionally, registered players can track their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, perfect scores achieved, and win streak.
For those looking for more word-based games from The New York Times, there are other options like the Mini Crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and Strands puzzles. Alternatively, players can try Tilesa motif matching gameor Sudoku for a break from words.
If you're new to the NYT Connections puzzle, here's how to play: start with sixteen words on your grid and mentally assign them to related groups of four. Each group has a common thread or connection that must be identified. Once you've selected your words, click/tap to select each word and press submit. If your guess is correct, it will change color.
The NYT Connections daily puzzle is refreshed at midnight local time, and it is edited by crossword constructor Wyna Liu, who has been editing puzzles at The Times since 2020. Players can play NYT Connections online and on mobile with the New York Times Game App.
For more information and tips on solving the NYT Connections puzzle, visit our dedicated page for hints and answers. If you're ready to dive in and start solving, here are the answers for today's puzzle: Yellow Group: Effervescence (Bubbles, Fizz, Foam, Froth), Green Group: Burgeon (Blossom, Develop, Mature, Progress), Blue Group: Music Publications (Billboard, Mojo, Pitchfork, Spin), and Purple Group: Tableware Ending Words (Boilerplate, Buttercup, Jackknife, Witherspoon).
