NYT Connections Hints and Answers for October 9, 2024 (#486)

Need help with the Wednesday, October 9, 2024, NYT Connections puzzle (#486)? Start with the spoiler-light category clues below, then open the answer groups when you’re ready to check your solve.

Hints for Connections #486

These clues describe each category without giving away the four words:

#	Preview	Product	Price
1		Puzzle Mania!: Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, Minis and More! (New York Times Games Books)	$26.60	Buy on Amazon
2		The New York Times Strictly Medium Crossword Puzzles Volume 1: 200 Medium Puzzles	$7.75	Buy on Amazon
3		The New York Times A Puzzle a Day: 365 Crossword Puzzles for a Year of Fun	$12.00	Buy on Amazon
4		The New York Times Greatest Hits of Monday Crossword Puzzles: 100 Easy Puzzles	$6.99	Buy on Amazon
5		The New York Times Mega Book of Sunday Crosswords: 500 Puzzles	$11.71	Buy on Amazon

1. A feature of carbonated beverages.
2. To grow or advance.
3. Related to the entertainment industry.
4. These nouns end with a dining-related item.

Answers for October 9, 2024

Spoilers below: the category names and all four words in each group are revealed.

EFFERVESCENCE

BUBBLES, FIZZ, FOAM, FROTH

BURGEON

BLOSSOM, DEVELOP, MATURE, PROGRESS

MUSIC PUBLICATIONS

BILLBOARD, MOJO, PITCHFORK, SPIN

ENDING WITH TABLEWARE

BOILERPLATE, BUTTERCUP, JACKKNIFE, WITHERSPOON

How the final category works

Each word ends with a term for tableware: BOILERPLATE ends in PLATE, BUTTERCUP in CUP, JACKKNIFE in KNIFE, and WITHERSPOON in SPOON. The trick is to spot the ending inside the full word rather than treat the words as literal dining objects.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1

Puzzle Mania!: Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, Minis and More! (New York Times Games Books)

$26.60

SaleBestseller No. 2

The New York Times Strictly Medium Crossword Puzzles Volume 1: 200 Medium Puzzles

$7.75

SaleBestseller No. 3

The New York Times A Puzzle a Day: 365 Crossword Puzzles for a Year of Fun

$12.00

SaleBestseller No. 4

The New York Times Greatest Hits of Monday Crossword Puzzles: 100 Easy Puzzles

$6.99

SaleBestseller No. 5

The New York Times Mega Book of Sunday Crosswords: 500 Puzzles

$11.71

Best Value

Sale

The New York Times Mega Book of Sunday Crosswords: 500 Puzzles

$11.71

Buy on Amazon

Rank #4

Sale

The New York Times Greatest Hits of Monday Crossword Puzzles: 100 Easy Puzzles

$6.99

Buy on Amazon

Rank #3

Sale

The New York Times A Puzzle a Day: 365 Crossword Puzzles for a Year of Fun

$12.00

Buy on Amazon

Rank #2

Sale

The New York Times Strictly Medium Crossword Puzzles Volume 1: 200 Medium Puzzles

$7.75

Buy on Amazon

#1 Best Overall

Sale

Puzzle Mania!: Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, Minis and More! (New York Times Games Books)

$26.60

Buy on Amazon

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.