# The Complete Guide to Color Categories Colors are one of the most common category types in NYT Connections, but they're not always as straightforward as you might think. This guide will help you spot every type of color-based grouping, from the obvious to the cleverly disguised. ## Types of Color Categories ### 🎨 Direct Color Names The most straightforward type - actual color words:

Common Examples

Primary & Basic

RED, BLUE, YELLOW, GREEN

Extended Palette

PURPLE, ORANGE, BROWN, PINK

### 🌈 Shades and Variations Where it gets tricky - specific shades of colors: ## Hidden Color Categories ### 🎭 Things That ARE Colors Words that don't seem like colors but actually are:

Sneaky Color Words

• ROSE - Flower AND a shade of pink
• VIOLET - Flower AND a color
• CORAL - Sea creature AND a color
• SLATE - Rock AND a gray color

• MINT - Herb AND a green shade
• RUST - Oxidation AND a color
• SAND - Beach material AND beige
• WINE - Beverage AND deep red

### 🎯 Things Associated with Specific Colors Objects strongly linked to particular colors:

Color Associations

Things That Are RED

STOP (sign), FIRE (truck), CHERRY, BLOOD

Things That Are GREEN

GRASS, MONEY, GO (light), ENVY

Things That Are YELLOW

BANANA, TAXI, CAUTION, SUN

## Advanced Color Patterns ### 🔤 Color + Word Combinations Common phrases where colors combine with other words:

Pattern: [COLOR] + ___

BLACK + ___

• MARKET, JACK, MAIL, HOLE
• (Blackmarket, Blackjack, etc.)

BLUE + ___

• PRINT, BERRY, BIRD, TOOTH
• (Blueprint, Blueberry, etc.)

### 🌍 Cultural Color References Colors in idioms, expressions, and culture:

Color Expressions

• Green with envy - Jealousy
• Blue mood - Sadness
• Red flag - Warning sign
• White lie - Harmless untruth
• Black sheep - Outcast
• Golden opportunity - Great chance

## Tricky Color Categories ### ⚠️ Watch Out For These!

Common Color Traps

1. Mixed Meanings

ORANGE can be a color OR a fruit - which one is the puzzle using?

2. Partial Matches

SILVER, GOLD, BRONZE might be colors OR Olympic medals

3. False Friends

LEMON (yellow fruit but might be grouped with "car problems")

## Color Category Checklist

Quick Color Scan

When you see potential color words, ask:

Direct Checks

☐ Are there 4 actual color names?
☐ Are there 4 shades of one color?
☐ Are there 4 things that ARE colors?

Indirect Checks

☐ Are there 4 things typically one color?
☐ Can these words precede a color?
☐ Do these complete color phrases?

## Practice: Real Puzzle Examples ## Pro Tips for Color Categories

🎯 Expert Strategies

1.
Start Simple
Look for obvious color names first before hunting for hidden ones
2.
Think Broadly
Remember that "color" categories can include shades, objects, or associations
3.
Check Both Meanings
If a word could be a color OR something else, consider both possibilities
4.
Use Process of Elimination
If you have 3 clear colors and need a 4th, look for the hidden color word

## Remember This! Color categories are common because they offer multiple levels of difficulty. The puzzle makers love them because they can be: - **Easy** (RED, BLUE, GREEN, YELLOW) - **Medium** (CRIMSON, NAVY, EMERALD, GOLD) - **Hard** (PITCH, SNOW, GRASS, SKY - things that ARE colors) Always do a quick color scan when you start a new puzzle! ## Read Next

Common Themes & Patterns

Discover all the frequently used category types beyond colors.

What to Do When Stuck

Break through mental blocks when color categories aren't clicking.