NYT Connections puzzle #491 is from October 14, 2024. Its four groups are RUMMAGE, SOUNDS OF THUNDER, WAYS TO WEAR YOUR HAIR UP, and THINGS THAT CAN HAVE LEAVES. Start with the hints below and stop before the marked spoiler boundary if you want to solve the board yourself.
Connections #491: spoiler-free hints
The board has 16 words to sort into four groups of four. These nudges move from broad to more direct; each reveals a little more about one group.
Yellow
Think of searching through something to find a particular item.
Green
These words describe sounds associated with a storm.
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- CLASSIC CROSSWORD GAME: Get family and friends together for a fun game night with the Scrabble board game! Put letters together, build words, and earn the most points to win
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Blue
Each can describe a way to arrange long hair off the neck.
Purple
Look for four things that can each have leaves, though not all in the same sense.
Rank #2
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How the Connections puzzle works
The New York Times Help Center explains that players get 16 words and must find four groups of four with a shared connection. The game has one intended solution, but words can seem to fit more than one category; as the Help Center puts it, “Each puzzle has exactly one solution and is meant to be tricky by having words that could fit into multiple categories.”
The color sequence is Yellow, Green, Blue, and Purple, from the easiest category to the trickiest. The daily puzzle releases at midnight in the player’s timezone. The Help Center currently lists the Games app, nytimes.com/games/connections, nytimes.com/theathletic, and the News app as places to play. Availability and platform listings can change, so check the Help Center for current details.
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Rank #3
- SPIN TO SOLVE: Race friends through mini crossword puzzles. A quick spin of the board reveals fresh angles on every clue, turning a classic word game into a fast, social party board game for 2-6 players.
- ANY ANSWER FITS: Every category answer can land in any word slot, opening multiple winning paths on the same grid. Clever thinking beats rote vocabulary in this fresh take on the crossword puzzle game.
- 160 CARDS, 10 BOARDS: Four card categories across 160 cards and 10 puzzle boards keep rounds varied, so no two games play the same and your family game night stays fresh week after week.
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- GAME NIGHT GIFT PICK: Quick to learn with deep gameplay, supports pair play and 2-6 players. A thoughtful gift for puzzle lovers, word nerds, and party game fans.
Spoilers: October 14, 2024 Connections answers
Stop here if you do not want the full solutions. Puzzle #491’s categories and word sets are:
| Color | Category | Words |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | RUMMAGE | Comb, Dig, Root, Sift |
| Green | SOUNDS OF THUNDER | Clap, Peal, Roll, Rumble |
| Blue | WAYS TO WEAR YOUR HAIR UP | Bun, Braid, Pony, Twist |
| Purple | THINGS THAT CAN HAVE LEAVES | Book, Salad, Table, Tree |
Can you replay puzzle #491?
The New York Times Help Center says its official puzzle archive is available to All Access and Games subscribers and includes puzzles dating back to June 12, 2023. That makes #491 eligible by date, though replay access is not described as free; check the current archive access terms in your account.
Quick Recap
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Rank #4
- ENGAGING WORD CHALLENGE: WordSnap brings a brain-boosting twist to traditional word games, letting players build words vertically, horizontally and diagonally, for an immersive gameplay experience that tests vocabulary and strategy skills
- FUN FOR EVERY SKILL LEVEL: Whether you're a word game enthusiast or just discovering them, this game is a fantastic choice for solo challenges, family game nights, fun learning tool for children, and cognitive memory aid for seniors; designed for 1-4 players ages 8 and up
- INNOVATIVE SOFT-SNAP TILES: Features 100 durable, flexible pieces with large easy-to-read letters; tiles snap together keeping words securely in place letting you easily rotate the word grid, ensuring every player gets a clear view of the game
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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.
