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Connections Hints for July 7, 2024 #391

Pro tip: Tap each section to reveal answers one at a time. If you just need a gentle hint, get the connection hint for July 7, 2024 #391

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Navigation tip: Use the arrows below to browse through past puzzles. Each puzzle is organized from easiest (yellow) to hardest (purple) categories.

Yellow Category — July 7, 2024

Green Category — July 7, 2024

Blue Category — July 7, 2024

Purple Category — July 7, 2024

Tricky Words in Today's Connections

Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle

Green group — SLANGY NAMES FOR PROFESSIONS

Why is “COPPER” in the Green group?

a slang term for a police officer, derived from the copper badges they wear

Blue group — CHANGE STATES OF MATTER

Why is “VAPORIZE” in the Blue group?

to change from a liquid to a gas state, often used in science and chemistry

Word definitions

Tricky words in today's Connections (July 7, 2024)

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.

HACK
Definition: a slang term for a journalist or a computer programmer
Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including a slang term for a journalist, a computer programmer, or to cut something
COVER
Definition: a replacement or substitute
Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including to replace something or to protect something
SUIT
Definition: a slang term for a businessperson
Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including a set of clothes or a slang term for a businessperson
SHRINK
Definition: a slang term for a psychiatrist
Why it's tricky: has multiple meanings, including to become smaller or a slang term for a psychiatrist

Connections #391 explained

Why these words connect (July 7, 2024)

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: CHANGE STATES OF MATTER

These are all terms that describe the transformation of a substance from one state to another, such as from solid to liquid or from liquid to gas, often used in science and chemistry.

Green group: REPLACEMENT

These are all terms that describe something that takes the place of something else, such as a backup or an alternate, often used in everyday language.

Blue group: SLANGY NAMES FOR PROFESSIONS

These are all slang terms that describe various professions, such as a police officer or a psychiatrist, often used in informal language.

Purple group: MARIAH CAREY NUMBER ONE HITS

These are all song titles that reached number one on the charts, performed by the singer Mariah Carey, often used in music and pop culture.

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.

HACK

Seems like it belongs to: CHANGE STATES OF MATTER

Actually belongs to: SLANGY NAMES FOR PROFESSIONS

The word 'hack' can also mean to cut or chop something, which might lead someone to think it belongs to the 'CHANGE STATES OF MATTER' group, but in this context, it refers to a slang term for a journalist or computer programmer.

COVER

Seems like it belongs to: MARIAH CAREY NUMBER ONE HITS

Actually belongs to: REPLACEMENT

The word 'cover' can also refer to a version of a song, which might lead someone to think it belongs to the 'MARIAH CAREY NUMBER ONE HITS' group, but in this context, it refers to a replacement or substitute.

Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained

These words look like they belong in one group but actually fit somewhere else entirely.

Why “HACK” didn't go with CHANGE STATES OF MATTER

Seems like: CHANGE STATES OF MATTER → Actually: SLANGY NAMES FOR PROFESSIONS

The word 'hack' can also mean to cut or chop something, which might lead someone to think it belongs to the 'CHANGE STATES OF MATTER' group, but in this context, it refers to a slang term for a journalist or computer programmer.

Why “COVER” didn't go with MARIAH CAREY NUMBER ONE HITS

Seems like: MARIAH CAREY NUMBER ONE HITS → Actually: REPLACEMENT

The word 'cover' can also refer to a version of a song, which might lead someone to think it belongs to the 'MARIAH CAREY NUMBER ONE HITS' group, but in this context, it refers to a replacement or substitute.

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