NYT Connections puzzle #485 was published on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. It is an archived puzzle, not the Connections board for October 8, 2026. The four categories were Halloween symbols, ways to prohibit, terms found on sheet music, and words that complete “candy ___.”
Hints for Connections #485
Try these nudges in order if you want to solve the board before seeing the groups:
- Think of October holiday favorites.
- Look for ways to prohibit or restrict something.
- Consider written musical notation.
- Each remaining word can follow “candy.”
Connections answers for October 8, 2024
The sixteen words were CANE, BLOCK, ACCIDENTAL, SPIDER, BAR, STAFF, APPLE, NOTE, BAT, BAN, PUMPKIN, CORN, FORBID, WITCH, REST, and DENY. The solved groups are:
| Color | Category | Words |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Halloween symbols | BAT, PUMPKIN, SPIDER, WITCH |
| Green | Prohibit | BAN, BLOCK, DENY, FORBID |
| Blue | Found on sheet music | ACCIDENTAL, NOTE, REST, STAFF |
| Purple | Candy ___ | APPLE, BAR, CANE, CORN |
Why the groups fit
Yellow: Halloween symbols
BAT, PUMPKIN, SPIDER, and WITCH are familiar Halloween symbols.
#1 Best Overall
Green: Prohibit
BAN, BLOCK, DENY, and FORBID can each mean to prohibit or prevent something, though their usage varies by context.
Blue: Found on sheet music
An ACCIDENTAL alters a note’s pitch; a NOTE and a REST indicate sound and silence; and the STAFF is the set of lines on which musical notation is written.
Rank #2
Purple: Candy ___
APPLE, BAR, CANE, and CORN each complete the phrase “candy apple,” “candy bar,” “candy cane,” or “candy corn.” APPLE may suggest Halloween at first, but it belongs with the phrase-completion group here.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to read the color order
Connections asks players to sort sixteen words into four groups of four. The categories are generally presented in ascending difficulty: yellow, green, blue, then purple. For this board, the first three groups rely on associations or meanings, while purple hinges on completing a familiar phrase.
Quick Recap
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