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Connections Hints for January 16, 2025 #584

Pro tip: Tap each section to reveal answers one at a time. If you just need a gentle hint, get the connection hint for January 16, 2025 #584

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Yellow Category — January 16, 2025

Green Category — January 16, 2025

Blue Category — January 16, 2025

Purple Category — January 16, 2025

Tricky Words in Today's Connections

Definitions for the most unusual words in today's puzzle

Green group — INSTALLED ON A WALL

Why is “sconce” in the Green group?

a decorative wall bracket for holding a light or other object

Green group — INSTALLED ON A WALL

Why is “baseboard” in the Green group?

a board covering the joint between the wall and the floor

Word definitions

Tricky words in today's Connections (January 16, 2025)

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.

asset
Definition: a valuable person or thing, especially in a business or organization
Why it's tricky: can refer to both financial assets and human assets, like a spy
plant
Definition: a person placed in a group to gather information
Why it's tricky: can also refer to a living organism or a factory
switch
Definition: an electrical device for turning a current on or off
Why it's tricky: can also refer to changing from one thing to another
outlet
Definition: a point at which something is made available
Why it's tricky: can refer to both electrical outlets and stores

Connections #584 explained

Why these words connect (January 16, 2025)

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: BUYING AND SELLING

These words are all related to the exchange of goods or services, including commerce, trade, and business.

Green group: INSTALLED ON A WALL

These words are all types of objects that can be installed or mounted on a wall, including electrical outlets, switches, and decorative fixtures.

Blue group: SPY

These words are all related to espionage or spying, including agents, assets, and moles.

Purple group: ___ RAT

These words are all types of rats, including gym rats, mall rats, and pack rats.

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.

business

Seems like it belongs to: SPY

Actually belongs to: BUYING AND SELLING

while spies may conduct business, the word is more closely related to commerce and trade

asset

Seems like it belongs to: BUYING AND SELLING

Actually belongs to: SPY

while assets can be financial, in the context of espionage, it refers to a valuable person or thing

outlet

Seems like it belongs to: SPY

Actually belongs to: INSTALLED ON A WALL

while an outlet can be a source of information, in this context, it refers to an electrical outlet

Today's Tricky Traps — Red Herrings Explained

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

Why “business” didn't go with SPY

Seems like: SPY → Actually: BUYING AND SELLING

while spies may conduct business, the word is more closely related to commerce and trade

Why “asset” didn't go with BUYING AND SELLING

Seems like: BUYING AND SELLING → Actually: SPY

while assets can be financial, in the context of espionage, it refers to a valuable person or thing

Why “outlet” didn't go with SPY

Seems like: SPY → Actually: INSTALLED ON A WALL

while an outlet can be a source of information, in this context, it refers to an electrical outlet

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