Daily New York Times Crossword Puzzle Clues and Solutions for Thursday, August 29, 2024 (Uncensored Version)
If you're searching for the answers to the 'Connections' puzzle on August 29, 2024, then look no further! Below, I've shared some clues, tips, and strategies. Furthermore, I've provided the solutions to all four categories. In the process, I've interpreted the trickier words and explained how it all fits together. Be aware, there are spoilers below for August 29, 2024 'Connections' #445!
User convenience is key - you can easily access our Connections hints every day by bookmarking this page. Moreover, our past hints are also readily available on this page, should you wish to revisit earlier puzzles.
Below, I've provided some subtle hints for today's 'Connections' answers. Moreover, I've revealed the themes and the answers. Read at your own pace and take only the hints you need!
Hints for the themes in today’s Connections:
- Yellow category: Varieties of tools
- Green category: Words related to thinking or measuring
- Blue category: Institutions that require membership fees
- Purple category: Divided versions of famous brands
Beware: Spoilers follow for today’s Connections puzzle:
We're about to reveal some answers. Read slowly if you don't wish the entire puzzle spoiled. (The full solution is presented further below.)
A word of caution about the challenging parts:
JUGGLE is a verb
There is no noble title category today, despite the presence of words like NOBLE, DUKE, and COUNT
YOUNG is a name, not an adjective
You'll find today's blue category easier if you're familiar with higher education in the United States
What are the categories in today’s Connections?
- Yellow: TYPES OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
- Green: JUDGE
- Blue: PRIVATE COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES
- Purple: HALVES OF WELL-KNOWN BRANDS WITH AMPERSANDS
DOUBLE WARNING: THE SOLUTION IS BELOW
Are you ready to learn the answers to today's 'Connections' puzzle? Below, I reveal all the answers.
What are the yellow words in today’s Connections?
The yellow grouping is straightforward. The theme for today's yellow group is TYPES OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, and the words are: FLUTE, VIOLIN, PIANO, DRUM
What are the green words in today’s Connections?
The green grouping is supposed to be the second-easiest. The theme for today's green category is JUDGE and the words are: DEEM, COUNT, JUGGLE, WEIGH
What are the blue words in today’s Connections?
The blue grouping is the second-hardest. The theme for today's blue category is PRIVATE COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES and the words are: YALE, DUKE, HAVERFORD, STANFORD
What are the purple words in today's Connections?
The purple grouping is considered the hardest. The theme for today's purple category is HALVES OF WELL-KNOWN BRANDS WITH AMPERSANDS and the words are: BEN & JERRY'S, COLE & MANSFIELD, BERNARD & HUESON, YOUNG & HUGSELY
HOW I SOLVED TODAY’S CONNECTIONS:
Hmm, I see some elaborate titles on the board (NOBLE, DUKE, COUNT), but I also see some schools (YALE, DUKE, HAVERFORD). Interesting! Let's see what I can deduce.
JUGGLE and WEIGH could go together, as in JUGGLing or WEIGHing an object. Oh, DEEM goes with that, too. Maybe COUNT, too, as in "I COUNT you as one of my friends"?
It looks like there's likely a music category, with FLUTE, VIOLIN, PIANO, and DRUM.
The last eight words are stumping me - the only new concept I've come up with is BEN & JERRY'S and YOUNG & HUGSELY, which are both halves of well-known brands. I think I'll try Yale, Duke, Haverford, and Stanford because these are the most recognizable names. Yay, a guess worked out in my favor once again!
OK, so that leaves us with BEN & JERRY'S, YOUNG & HUGSELY, NOBLE, and COLE & MANSFIELD. Maybe it's a company category, because Young & Hugley is also a company, but what about COLE & MANSFIELD? Oh, Cole Haan!
HOW TO PLAY CONNECTIONS
I've written a comprehensive guide to playing Connections, but here's a brief summary of the rules:
Start by locating the Connections game, either on the New York Times website or through their Games application (previously known as the Crossword app). You'll discover a game board comprising 16 tiles, each showing a single word or phrase. Your mission is to pick a set of four tiles sharing a common attribute. Often, they all belong to the same category (for instance, RAIN, SLEET, HAIL, SNOW are all kinds of precipitation) but occasionally, there's wordplay involved (like BUCKET, GUEST, TOP TEN, and WISH, which are all types of lists: bucket list, guest list, and so forth).
Choose four items and press the Submit button. If your guess is correct, the class and color will be unveiled. (Yellow is the easiest, followed by green, then blue, then purple.) If your assumption was incorrect, you'll have another opportunity to guess.
You succeed when you've correctly identified all four groups. However, if you make four mistakes before completing, the game concludes, and the answers are disclosed.
Winning Strategies for Connections
The key to winning Connections is understanding that the groupings are intentionally complex. Be prepared to encounter overlapping groups. For example, a puzzle seemed to include six breakfast foods: BACON, EGG, PANCAKE, OMELET, WAFFLE, and CEREAL. However, BACON turned out to be part of a group of artists along with CLOSE, MUNCH, and WHISTLER, and EGG was in a group of items that come in dozens (along with JUROR, ROSE, and MONTH). Therefore, don't click Submit until you've confirmed that your group of four consists of only those four items.
If you're struggling, another approach is to examine the words that appear to have no connection to the others. If WHISTLER only reminds you of the painting nicknamed "Whistler's Mother," you might be on to something. When I solved that one, I ended up seeking out whether there was a painter named Close, since Close didn't fit any of the obvious themes.
Another way to win when you're stuck is, obviously, to utilize a few helpful hints–which is why we share these tips daily. Come back tomorrow for the next puzzle!
If you're looking for additional help with deciphering the 'Connections' puzzle beyond the provided clues and solutions, you might consider checking the New York Times' 'Connections' answer section on their website or app. Additionally, exploring entertainment platforms that discuss or solve 'Connections' puzzles, such as forums or YouTube channels, could provide you with more insights and connections today.
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