NYT Connections puzzle #506, published October 29, 2024, groups the 16 words into four sets: items in pristine condition, medical roles, singular nouns from a famous line in Julius Caesar, and phrases ending in “square.” The complete answers are below, with a quick hint first if you want one last chance to solve it yourself.
Hints for Connections #506
- Yellow: Words that describe something untouched or in flawless condition.
- Green: Jobs or training roles in a hospital.
- Blue: Singular nouns from a famous speech to a Roman crowd.
- Purple: Each word can come before “square.”
The New York Times describes Connections as a 16-word game in which players sort words into four groups of four. Its help page notes that words may seem to fit multiple categories, even though each puzzle has exactly one solution. See the official Connections help page for the game’s mechanics and current access details.
Today’s Connections answers: October 29, 2024
Spoilers below: these are all four completed groups for puzzle #506.
| Category | Words | Why they fit |
|---|---|---|
| IN PRISTINE CONDITION | MINT, NEW, ORIGINAL, UNUSED | Each can describe an item that is untouched or in flawless condition. |
| MEDICAL ROLES | ATTENDING, FELLOW, INTERN, RESIDENT | These are roles in medical practice or training. |
| SINGULAR NOUN IN A FAMOUS “JULIUS CAESAR” LINE | COUNTRYMAN, EAR, FRIEND, ROMAN | They appear in singular form in “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.” |
| ___ SQUARE | PERFECT, POCKET, TIMES, TOWN | Each completes a familiar phrase: perfect square, pocket square, Times Square, and town square. |
How the trickier groups work
The Shakespeare line
COUNTRYMAN, EAR, FRIEND, and ROMAN are the singular forms used for the set, though the quotation gives some of them in plural form: “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.” The puzzle asks for words drawn from that line, not for the quotation’s exact grammatical forms.
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The “square” phrases
PERFECT, POCKET, TIMES, and TOWN all precede “square.” “Perfect square” is a mathematical term; a pocket square is a clothing accessory; Times Square is a place name; and a town square is a public space.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A useful approach to Connections
- Look for a clear set of four. The medical roles are a strong starting point because the words share a direct relationship.
- Check every candidate for another fit. Connections deliberately uses words that can appear to belong to more than one category. Before submitting, see whether a word also works with another tempting group.
- Test phrases and references. If a set feels less obvious, try placing each word before or after a shared word, or consider whether the group points to a quotation or other familiar reference.
These clues explain the confirmed groupings for this archived puzzle; they do not change its single intended solution.
Quick Recap
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