Yellow group — FARM TOOLS
Why is “SICKLE” in the Yellow group?
a curved blade used for harvesting crops, especially grains
Connections Hints for December 16, 2023 #187
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Yellow Category — December 16, 2023
Green Category — December 16, 2023
Blue Category — December 16, 2023
Purple Category — December 16, 2023
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle
Tricky Words in Today's Connections
▼Blue group — ONOMATOPOEIA
Why is “PLOP” in the Blue group?
a sound of something falling into water, making a splashing sound
Word definitions
Tricky words in today's Connections (December 16, 2023)
Several words in today's puzzle have multiple meanings or obscure definitions that can throw you off. Here's what each one means in the context of this Connections grid.
- PLOT
- Definition: a plan or scheme
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a plot of land
- RAKE
- Definition: a farm tool
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a person who is immoral or reckless
- SICKLE
- Definition: a curved blade for harvesting
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a sickle cell, a medical term
- THUD
- Definition: a dull, heavy sound
- Why it's tricky: can also refer to a thud as a verb, meaning to fall or drop
Connections #187 explained
Why these words connect (December 16, 2023)
Understanding the logic behind each group helps you spot similar patterns in future puzzles. Here's the reasoning for every category in today's Connections.
Yellow group: FARM TOOLS
These are all tools used for farming and gardening, including a hoe for weeding and a plow for tilling soil.
Green group: SCHEME
These are all words that refer to a plan or strategy, including a plot to achieve a goal and a trick to deceive someone.
Blue group: MAKE HAPPY
These are all words that refer to bringing happiness or pleasure, including to amuse someone with a joke and to delight them with a gift.
Purple group: ONOMATOPOEIA
These are all words that imitate the sounds they describe, including the sound of a bang and the sound of a splash.
Red herrings and trap words explained
These words were designed to mislead you. Understanding why they don't belong where you first think sharpens your game for tomorrow.
“PLOT”
Seems like it belongs to: FARM TOOLS
Actually belongs to: SCHEME
While a plot of land is related to farming, the word 'plot' in this context refers to a plan or scheme.
“RAKE”
Seems like it belongs to: SCHEME
Actually belongs to: FARM TOOLS
Although 'rake' can be used as a verb to mean to gather or collect, in this context it refers to a farm tool.
“THUD”
Seems like it belongs to: SCHEME
Actually belongs to: ONOMATOPOEIA
While 'thud' can be used to describe a sudden, dramatic event, in this context it refers to a specific sound.
Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained
These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.
Why “PLOT” didn't go with FARM TOOLS
Seems like: FARM TOOLS → Actually: SCHEME
While a plot of land is related to farming, the word 'plot' in this context refers to a plan or scheme.
Why “RAKE” didn't go with SCHEME
Seems like: SCHEME → Actually: FARM TOOLS
Although 'rake' can be used as a verb to mean to gather or collect, in this context it refers to a farm tool.
Why “THUD” didn't go with SCHEME
Seems like: SCHEME → Actually: ONOMATOPOEIA
While 'thud' can be used to describe a sudden, dramatic event, in this context it refers to a specific sound.