NYT Dictionary

ADDLE

/ˈæ.dəl/
AdjectiveNounVerbAD-dlead-dle · 2 syllablesGrade 8

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2025, 2026

Meaning

Having lost the power of development, and become rotten; putrid.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Middle English adel (“rotten”), from Old English adel, adela (“mire, pool, liquid excrement”), from Proto-West Germanic *adal, from Proto-Germanic *adalaz, *adalô (“cattle urine, liquid manure”). Akin to Scots adill, North Frisian ethel (“urine”), Saterland Frisian adel (“dung”), Middle Low German adele (“mud, liquid manure”) (Dutch aal (“liquid manure”)), Old Swedish adel (“urine”), Danish ajle (“liquid manure”), Bavarian Adel (“liquid manure”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 6 recorded puzzles:

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