NYT Dictionary

ANAL

/ˈeɪ̯nəl/
AdjectiveNounVerbA-nala-nal · 2 syllablesGrade 8

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

Meaning

Of, related to, intended for or involving the anus.

Etymology

Origin: Latin

Borrowed from Latin ānālis. By surface analysis, anus + -al. Psychological sense shortened from anal-retentive.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

fussypernicketypickyanal-retentiveabdominalaccordantappendicalbourgeoiscardiaccecal

Antonyms

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 68 recorded puzzles:

+56 earlier appearances in the archive.

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