NYT Connections Hints for November 5: Puzzle #878 Answers and Group Breakdown

Today’s NYT Connections hints for November 5 (Puzzle #878) feature a fun mix of logic, language, and music. The puzzle includes categories that range from soul legends to common idioms and even game weapons. Whether you’re stuck or just double-checking, here’s the complete breakdown of hints, categories, and answers for today’s Connections game.

The November 5 puzzle is moderately challenging, with clever wordplay in the yellow group and nostalgia in the blue one. If you’re a fan of word games like Wordle and Strands, this edition offers a balanced test of memory and association.

Today’s NYT Connections Hints and Group Themes

Each NYT Connections puzzle includes four color-coded groups ranked from easiest (yellow) to hardest (purple). Here are the clues for each color group, followed by their solved answers:

• Yellow Group Hint: Mess up.
• Green Group Hint: Lead pipe is another one.
• Blue Group Hint: They command the stage.
• Purple Group Hint: Not snow, but …

Players noted that today’s grid rewards those familiar with pop culture and classic word associations. The yellow and green categories were straightforward, while the purple category featured a sneaky word link that tripped up many solvers.

NYT Connections Answers for November 5, 2025 (#878)

Yellow Group – “Make a hash of”: Blow, Botch, Butcher, Spoil
These four words share the meaning “to mess up” or “to do badly.”

Green Group – “Weapons in the game Clue”: Candlestick, Knife, Rope, Wrench
Classic murder mystery fans will recognize these as key items from the board game Clue.

Blue Group – “Iconic soul singers”: Baker, Flack, Franklin, Knight
Each surname belongs to a legendary performer: Anita Baker, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, and Gladys Knight.

Purple Group – “Rain ____”: Bow, Coat, Forest, Maker
This final group completes common word pairs starting with “rain.” It’s the trickiest of the day, connecting language creativity with common expressions.

Player Reactions and Puzzle Insights

According to CNET’s Gael Cooper, the November 5 puzzle leaned more on pop culture and common idioms than abstract categories. The “soul singers” group delighted music fans, while the “rain” theme caused some head-scratching before the reveal.

Many fans praised the inclusion of Clue weapons, a nostalgic nod to one of the most popular mystery games ever made. Overall, Puzzle #878 was viewed as balanced — approachable yet satisfying to solve.

In summary, today’s NYT Connections puzzle for November 5 combined music, mystery, and everyday phrases into a clever, enjoyable challenge that word game fans are sure to remember.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is the yellow group in NYT Connections for November 5?

The yellow group theme is “Make a hash of,” including the words Blow, Botch, Butcher, and Spoil.

Q2: Which category featured famous soul singers today?

The blue group featured iconic soul singers: Baker, Flack, Franklin, and Knight.

Q3: What are the weapons in the game Clue listed in today’s puzzle?

The green group included Candlestick, Knife, Rope, and Wrench — all classic Clue weapons.

Q4: What was the hardest group in today’s Connections puzzle?

The purple group “Rain ____” was the trickiest, featuring Bow, Coat, Forest, and Maker.

Q5: Who wrote today’s NYT Connections hints article?

The puzzle summary and hints were originally compiled by Gael Cooper of CNET.