Recommended Free Tools
Stuck on NYT Connections #397? The puzzle dated Friday, July 12, 2024, mixes school spaces, roulette terminology, several meanings of “Dove,” and phrases ending in “Goose.” Use the progressive hints below before revealing the full answers.
Spoiler warning: The complete solution to NYT Connections #397, published on Friday, July 12, 2024, appears below. If you are still solving, start with the hint section and stop before the answer reveals.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The 16 words in Connections #397
Here is the complete word bank:
ODD, LIBRARY, CHOCOLATE, SOAP, PIGEON, MOTHER, RED, LAB, BLACK, GREY, GYM, PEACE, GOLDEN, EVEN, SILLY, AUDITORIUM
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Hints for Connections #397
Try these progressive clues before scrolling to the category names and answers.
#1 Best Overall
- Yellow hint: Think of places or rooms found on a school campus—but not necessarily classrooms.
- Green hint: Think about wagers or outcomes associated with a roulette wheel.
- Blue hint: Each answer in this group can be associated with the word “Dove.”
- Purple hint: Each answer can come before the word “Goose.”
Connections #397 categories
Ready for the reveals? The four categories are:
- Yellow: School facilities
- Green: Roulette bets
- Blue: Associated with “Dove”
- Purple: ___ Goose
Connections #397 answers for July 12
Yellow: SCHOOL FACILITIES
AUDITORIUM, GYM, LAB, LIBRARY
These are common facilities or spaces found in a school. The group becomes easier to see once the campus-related nouns are separated from the words that can form phrases or represent other concepts.
Green: ROULETTE BETS
BLACK, EVEN, ODD, RED
Roulette players can bet on the color red or black, and on whether the number will be even or odd. The color words are intended to create confusion: GREY and GOLDEN also appear in the grid, but they belong to the Goose group.
Rank #2
- ★ [MANY TO CHOOSE FROM] – Improve your memory, sharpen your mind, and have fun at the same time! If you are a big word game enthusiast, and a great Sudoku problem solver this is a great way to unwind and relax while sharpening your brain with a wide range of word search and Sudoku puzzles to choose from in our various book bundles.
- ★ [INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE] – A 17-pack variety of Sudoku puzzles, including Loco Sudoku and Sumoku, and a variety of diverse word search puzzles, including large print word finds and more. This is a combo pack of 12 large size books, measuring 8x10, and 5 digest size, measuring 5x8. Also included is one free bonus pen; the color will vary randomly between black, blue, and red.
- ★ [HOURS OF FUN FOR YOUNG AND OLD] – Gift this bundle to your mother, father, friends, and family! They will love the combination of Word Find books with interesting family-friendly themes. As well, these Sudoku books are a collection of puzzles with all levels of puzzle difficulties, including Loco Sudoku and Sumoku, so that all ages can enjoy them. These are fun and challenging.
- ★ [BONUS PEN INCLUDED] – We hope you’ll love this bundle of Word Find & Sudoku puzzle activity books as much as we do! As a token of appreciation to your loyalty, one pen is included with each bundle for your convenience. Colors vary between black, blue, and red. Happy puzzling!
- ★ [OUR HAPPINESS ] – The happiness of our customers is our top priority. We hope you'll love this product! However, if for whatever reason you are dissatisfied with your purchase please reach out to us and we will refund you, no questions asked.
Blue: ASSOCIATED WITH “DOVE”
CHOCOLATE, PEACE, PIGEON, SOAP
This is the puzzle’s broad association group. Dove Chocolate and Dove soap are product names; a dove is associated with peace; and a dove is a type of bird related to a pigeon. The varied connections make this category less immediately visible than a simple phrase-completion group.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Purple: ___ GOOSE
GOLDEN, GREY, MOTHER, SILLY
Each word can precede GOOSE: golden goose, Grey Goose, Mother Goose, and silly goose. GOLDEN and GREY can initially look like part of a color category, but the phrase completions are the stronger connection.
Rank #3
- MANY THEMES TO CHOOSE FROM: Improve your memory, sharpen your mind, and have fun at the same time! If you are a big word game enthusiast, this is a great way to unwind and relax while sharpening your brain with a wide range of themes to choose from in our various search book bundles.
- INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE: A 12-pack variety of diverse puzzles, including large-print word finds, ultimate word finds, word find grab bag, leisure word finds, hidden-message word finds, giant word finds, and more! The books are a large size, measuring 8x10”. Also included is one free bonus pen; the color will vary randomly between black, blue, and red.
- HOURS OF FUN FOR YOUNG AND OLD: Gift this bundle to your mother, father, friends, and family! They will love the combination books with interesting family-friendly themes. There's something for everyone; the elderly, the visually impaired, prison inmates, and for everyday retirement activities that are fun and challenging.
- VERSATILE STRUCTURE: The puzzles are printed on smooth paper with premium ink and the words are easy to read making the puzzles a joy to complete. There are wide margins so the papers are easy to tear out.
- BONUS PEN INCLUDED: We hope you’ll love this bundle of word puzzle activity books as much as we do! As a token of appreciation to your loyalty, one pen is included with each bundle for your convenience. Colors vary between black, blue, and red. Happy puzzling!
Why this puzzle was tricky
The biggest trap was the group of color words. BLACK and RED look as if they should combine with GREY and GOLDEN, but only the first two belong together—and they do so because of roulette. GREY and GOLDEN instead lead into the phrase group ending in “GOOSE.”
The Dove category is also deliberately loose. CHOCOLATE and PIGEON are useful anchors: once “Dove” comes to mind, PEACE and SOAP complete the set. As with every Connections board, the intended solution uses four groups of four, so a promising connection still needs to leave a clean set of four words behind.
Rank #4
- WHIMSICAL COZY LIBRARY SCENE: Immerse yourself in the magic of a leafy, plant-filled library complete with twinkling lights, art supplies, and a cozy reading chair – perfect for puzzle lovers and bookworms alike
- VIBRANT, HIGH-QUALITY ARTWORK: Features stunning, detailed artwork with rich colors, hand-drawn charm, and imaginative details including plants, potions, books, and vintage objects. The finished puzzle measures 19.25" x 26.625" and promises a premium puzzle experience
- PREMIUM QUALITY: Made with recycled paperboard and printed with vegetable-based inks; ensures vivid colors and a precise fit. Each piece is precision-cut for a snug fit; ensures a satisfying and enjoyable puzzling experience
- FULLY INTERLOCKING PIECES: Enjoy the satisfying 'SNAP' as each piece fits perfectly; designed for a seamless assembly process. Each RoseArt jigsaw puzzle comes with a full color bonus poster for easy reference while building your new puzzle
- PROUDLY MADE IN THE USA: Each RoseArt jigsaw puzzle is manufactured in the United States combining quality craftsmanship with responsible production you can trust
Want more puzzles after Connections #397?
If you prefer solving away from a screen, a related NYT puzzle book or other offline word-puzzle collection can provide more puzzle material, including Connections-style challenges. It is a companion option—not a book containing this specific July 12, 2024 puzzle—so check the exact contents before buying.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Frequently Asked Questions
What were the categories in Connections #397?
The four Connections #397 groups were School Facilities; Roulette Bets; Associated with “Dove”; and ___ Goose.
What were the answers to Connections #397?
AUDITORIUM, GYM, LAB, LIBRARY; BLACK, EVEN, ODD, RED; CHOCOLATE, PEACE, PIGEON, SOAP; and GOLDEN, GREY, MOTHER, SILLY.
Best Value
- Word Find Book 3 Pack for Teens, Adults - Bundle with 3 Assorted Word Hunt Puzzle Books with Hidden Message Word Searches Plus Pen | Word Search Puzzle Books for Adults.
- This word search puzzle book includes 2 hidden message word find books and 1 large print word search book. Hunt for all of the hidden words and the leftover letters will reveal a quote. Over 300 puzzles total! Covers may vary.
- Each puzzle book includes fascinating themes throughout, perfect to keep you entertained at home, on the road, or anywhere you have down time to complete a puzzle.
- Hours of mind-stimulating fun. All new puzzles, all new words, new format and layout. The perfect word search puzzles for teens and adults alike.
- This word find puzzle book set also includes a pen, perfect to use when completing your new word searches.
Which color words went together in Connections #397?
BLACK and RED belong with roulette bets. GREY and GOLDEN belong with the words that can precede “GOOSE.”
The Bottom Line
The answers to NYT Connections #397, from July 12, 2024, are AUDITORIUM, GYM, LAB, LIBRARY; BLACK, EVEN, ODD, RED; CHOCOLATE, PEACE, PIGEON, SOAP; and GOLDEN, GREY, MOTHER, SILLY. The key traps are the misleading colors and the wide range of meanings connected to “Dove.”
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.
