NYT “Connections” October 12: Answers and clues for game #489

Are you on a Connections winning streak? Congratulations if so! Newsweek has some hints and clues to help you keep that going.

The popular brainteaser, released by The New York Times in 2023, is the second-most played game behind Wordle.

In June, Newsweek spoke with Connections developer and crossword editor Wyna Liu, who said the puzzle’s global popularity has been “overwhelming” and “unexpected.”

“It’s exciting that something I care very deeply about is resonating with people,” she said.

To see Newsweek‘s clues for today’s puzzle, keep scrolling. If you’d like to work the answers out for yourself, though, we suggest you carry on carefully—spoilers will be revealed at the bottom of this article.

How to Play ‘Connections’

Connections’ rules of play are easy to get the hang of. Each player is given a table of 16 words. These words must be broken up into four groups of four based on themes and put into categories ranging from easy to difficult. Yellow is considered the easiest category, followed by green, then blue, then purple.

For instance, Friday’s game linked the words “dip,” “dive,” “splash” and “swim” under the category “Quick jump in the pool.” This was a green category.

Once you’ve chosen the four words, you’ll click the “Submit” button. If the words are correct, they will flash in the category color and will be removed from the board. If they are incorrect, they will appear gray in color and remain on the board.

There is no time limit to the game, but users only get four tries to get the answers correct.

If you’ve been stuck on the puzzle for a while, feel free to press the “Shuffle” button—this just might give your brain the refresh it needs.

‘Connections’ #489 Clues for Saturday, October 12

Newsweek has helpful tips to assist you with today’s Connections game.

Yellow: Items of clothing to add to an outfit

Green: To endure, allow

Blue: Bird sounds

Purple: The first few letters of popular technology brands

‘Connections’ #489 Answers for Saturday, October 12

Yellow Category: DRAPED ACCESSORIES

Yellow Words: Scarf, Shawl, Stole, Wrap

Green Category: TOLERATE

Green Words: Bear, Stand, Swallow, Take

Blue Category: BIRD ONOMATOPOEIA

Blue Words: Coo, Gobble, Honk, Hoot

Purple Category: STARTS OF CELLPHONE MAKERS

Purple Words: App, Goo, Motor, Sam

Well done if you got Saturday’s puzzle correct, but if you didn’t, don’t sweat it. You’ll get another chance on Sunday when a new Connections game will be available for you to try.

Connections is released at midnight in your local time zone, so be sure to check back with Newsweek tomorrow for more hints and answers.

In the meantime, why not give these other popular word puzzles a go?