The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Spoiler warning: This is an archival guide to NYT Connections puzzle #488, released Friday, October 11, 2024—not the current daily puzzle. Read the hints first, then reveal the category names and answers only when you’re ready.
Hints for Connections #488
Try these clues before revealing the groups. They move from broad prompts toward the answers, without naming the categories.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Yellow: Really like.
- Green: Don’t forget the water wings.
- Blue: Something more.
- Purple: Impertinence.
Category names
Stop here if you want to solve the groups yourself. The category labels are below.
- Yellow: Cherish
- Green: Quick jump in the pool
- Blue: Additional benefit
- Purple: Brashness
Full answers
The four groups for Friday, October 11, 2024, are:
- Yellow — CHERISH: RELISH, SAVOR, TREASURE, VALUE
- Green — QUICK JUMP IN THE POOL: DIP, DIVE, SPLASH, SWIM
- Blue — ADDITIONAL BENEFIT: BONUS, EXTRA, FROSTING, GRAVY
- Purple — BRASHNESS: BRASS, CHEEK, NERVE, SAUCE
Why the word groups can be tricky
GRAVY and FROSTING may look like food words, but in this puzzle they join BONUS and EXTRA as terms for an additional benefit. BRASS, CHEEK, NERVE, and SAUCE are all ways to describe brashness. The New York Times explains that Connections puzzles have exactly one solution, even though some words can seem to fit more than one category.
#1 Best Overall
- The game where _______ minds think alike!
- Prepare yourself for Blank Slate, a game of addicting predictions! How well can you put your finger on what everyone's thinking?
- Pick a Word Cue card, write the word you think best completes the phrase, and try to match it to anther player's word without giving a single hint
- Easy to learn, quick to play, and fun for the whole family; just grab a slate, write a word, and get ready to make a match. Great for large groups or small gatherings!
- Includes: Scoreboard, 8 dry-erase slates, 250 doubled-sided word cue cards, rules
How to play Connections
Connections gives players 16 words to sort into four groups of four according to a shared theme. The groups are marked yellow, green, blue, and purple, from easiest to trickiest, according to the NYT Help Center’s Connections rules. The game is available on the NYT Games website and in the Games and News apps; the NYT says it is free to play and does not require sign-in.
Finding this puzzle in the archive
The NYT says each daily puzzle releases at midnight in the player’s timezone. Its Connections help page also says subscribers can access the archive, which includes puzzles dating back to June 12, 2023. That makes puzzle #488 available as a past puzzle rather than a live daily answer.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Viral on TikTok: Inspired by the popular TikTok trend, ChainLink is the ultimate battle of quick thinking and word association, where players race to connect words before their minds go blank.
- Whether you're linking "Coffee" to "Date" or "Dog" to "Bite," the challenge gets trickier with each turn and the pressure is on to keep up!
- Race to Complete the Chain: Players take turns guessing the missing links in the word chain. Grab your friends and your family and begin your race to the bottom, ChainLink is ideal for anyone who loves word games, fast paced games, and board games.
- WHAT'S IN THE BOX: 450 Cards With 900 Unique Words, Rulebook
- Why You'll Love It: Easy to play, fast paced party game, great for big groups and family game nights
Rank #4
- ENGAGE IN WORDPLAY: Dive into rapid word associations in this lively elementary school game, perfect for 3-8 players. Ideal for parties and family game nights, Linkity challenges players to think quickly and creatively under pressure.
- BOOST VOCABULARY SKILLS: Sharpen your language skills and expand your vocabulary as you connect words and race against your opponents in our kid's word game. Linkity is a great educational tool for children in 3rd to 4th grade, making learning fun & interactive.
- QUICK AND COMPETITIVE: Each 15-minute game session of Linkity delivers non-stop excitement. Be the first to link words and clear your hand of cards to win, challenging both your wit & your reflexes in this fast-paced family game for kids and adults.
- INCLUDES EVERYTHING YOU NEED: Our kid's board game set comes with 81 Linkity cards, 10 five-point scoring chips, 20 one-point scoring chips, and a comprehensive rules booklet—all you need for endless fun.
- UP THE CHALLENGE: Up the fun while upping the challenge by playing Linkity with a theme like 'plants and animals'. All responses need to be related to the theme
Rank #3
- The Original and Authentic Version of the Sensational Party Game
- Get ready for the award-winning fast-paced word game that gives family game night a rush of excitement as players compete to beat the timer!
- HOW TO PLAY - Choose a card with a category, press the timer, and shout out words related to the category that start with a certain letter. Once the related word is announced, press the corresponding letter tab.
- Take it on the go and great to play anywhere - the portable Tapple wheel stores all of the category cards for easy carry and storage.
- Includes 1 Tapple wheel with built-in timer, 36 cards (144 categories), rules
Rank #2
- Two teams race to identify their agents from a 5×5 grid, guided by a spymaster who knows each card’s identity
- Spymasters give one-word clues and a number to link multiple cards, encouraging creative thinking
- Teammates guess words matching the clue while avoiding the other team’s agents, bystanders, and the assassin
- Revealing the assassin ends the game instantly, adding high-stakes tension
- Teams may guess up to the clue number plus one, allowing strategic risks or revisiting old clues
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.
