NYT Dictionary
ABIOTIC
/ˌeɪ.baɪˈɑt.ɪk/AdjectiveNounA-bi-ot-ica-bi-ot-ic · 4 syllablesCollege
Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2025
Meaning
Nonliving, inanimate, characterised by the absence of life; of inorganic matter.
Etymology
Origin: Ancient Greek
First attested in 1874. From a- + biotic, the first element from Ancient Greek ἀ- (a-) and the second from Ancient Greek βιωτικός (biōtikós, “of life”), from βίος (bíos, “life”) + -ῐκός (-ĭkós).
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle: