Recommended Free Tools
Need help with NYT Connections for Wednesday, November 13? Game #521 includes a straightforward color group, a dental set, a building-related group, and a particularly tricky spelling-and-pronunciation category. Below are progressive hints followed by the full answers.
Need help with NYT Connections for Wednesday, November 13? Game #521 includes a straightforward color group, a dental set, a building-related group, and a particularly tricky spelling-and-pronunciation category. This is the archived puzzle published on November 13, 2024—the word “today” in the title refers to that original publication date.
Warning: spoilers follow. Start with the hints if you are still solving, then continue to the category labels and complete answers.
NYT Connections #521 hints for November 13
Broad hints
- One group consists of things commonly associated with a bright color.
- One group names additions or attached sections of a building.
- One group contains terms a dentist may discuss with a patient.
- One group contains words whose pronunciations do not fully reflect their spellings.
More specific clues
- Yellow group: Think of a bird, a fruit, a fictional character, and a condiment.
- Building group: Think of ways a structure can be enlarged or supplemented.
- Dental group: Think of buildup, decay, and related oral-health concerns.
- Spelling group: Think of words that look longer on the page than they sound when spoken.
NYT Connections #521 category labels
Still trying to solve it? Here are the four category labels without the individual answers:
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
- Things That Are Yellow
- Building Add-Ons
- Concerns for a Dentist
- Words That Seem Longer Written Than Spoken
NYT Connections answers for Wednesday, November 13
Yellow — Things That Are Yellow
CANARY, LEMON, MINION, MUSTARD
Each word points to something commonly recognized as yellow: a canary, a lemon, the fictional Minions, and mustard. The group can be deceptive because lemon and mustard may initially suggest a food-related connection rather than a color.
Green — Building Add-Ons
ADDITION, ANNEX, EXTENSION, WING
An addition, annex, extension, or wing can describe a section added to or connected with a building. WING is the likely trap: it can refer to birds, aircraft, sports positions, or many other things, but an architectural wing is a projecting or additional part of a structure.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Blue — Concerns for a Dentist
CALCULUS, CAVITY, PLAQUE, TARTAR
These are all dental concerns or terms. In this category, CALCULUS does not mean the branch of mathematics; it means hardened deposits that form on teeth. Dental calculus and tartar are closely related terms, while plaque and cavities are familiar oral-health problems.
Purple — Words That Seem Longer Written Than Spoken
COLONEL, PHARAOH, WEDNESDAY, WORCESTERSHIRE
This group depends on the contrast between spelling and pronunciation. COLONEL is pronounced like “kernel,” PHARAOH is generally spoken with fewer clearly heard syllables than its spelling suggests, WEDNESDAY is commonly pronounced without fully articulating every written letter, and WORCESTERSHIRE is pronounced far more compactly than it appears on the page.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
The category is not claiming that every unspoken letter works in exactly the same technical way. The shared idea is that each word looks substantially more elaborate in writing than it sounds aloud.
What makes Connections #521 tricky?
The dental group is likely the best starting point. CALCULUS, PLAQUE, and TARTAR quickly point toward dentistry, leaving CAVITY as the natural fourth word.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential:Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
The yellow group is also accessible once the color connection is considered, although LEMON and MUSTARD can tempt you toward a food category. For the building group, look past the everyday meanings of WING and consider architectural terminology.
The purple group is best saved for last. COLONEL, PHARAOH, WEDNESDAY, and WORCESTERSHIRE do not share an obvious subject, but all create a spelling-versus-pronunciation mismatch. That specialized connection makes it the most opaque group for many players.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Complete answer grid
| Color | Category | Words |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Things That Are Yellow | CANARY, LEMON, MINION, MUSTARD |
| Green | Building Add-Ons | ADDITION, ANNEX, EXTENSION, WING |
| Blue | Concerns for a Dentist | CALCULUS, CAVITY, PLAQUE, TARTAR |
| Purple | Words That Seem Longer Written Than Spoken | COLONEL, PHARAOH, WEDNESDAY, WORCESTERSHIRE |
Want more Connections puzzles?
After finishing this archived game, readers who prefer a screen-free option can look for the official Connections puzzle book, Connections: Find the Common Threads in 100+ Puzzles of Wit and Wordplay. It is presented as a book-form collection of New York Times Connections puzzles. The available research does not establish that it includes game #521, so treat it as a source of additional puzzles rather than a specific reprint of this one.
Connections presents 16 words that must be divided into four groups of four related words. If you play through a New York Times Games platform, player statistics are shown after completing a puzzle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the NYT Connections categories for game #521?
The four groups are Things That Are Yellow; Building Add-Ons; Concerns for a Dentist; and Words That Seem Longer Written Than Spoken.
What is the hardest group in NYT Connections #521?
The purple group is COLONEL, PHARAOH, WEDNESDAY, and WORCESTERSHIRE. They look longer when written than they sound when pronounced.
The Bottom Line
NYT Connections #521 answers: Yellow—CANARY, LEMON, MINION, MUSTARD; Green—ADDITION, ANNEX, EXTENSION, WING; Blue—CALCULUS, CAVITY, PLAQUE, TARTAR; Purple—COLONEL, PHARAOH, WEDNESDAY, WORCESTERSHIRE.
Quick Recap
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.




