NYT Dictionary

AROMATIC

/ˌɛɹ.əˈmæt.ɪk/
AdjectiveNounar-o-MAT-icar-o-mat-ic · 4 syllablesGrade 6

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2022, 2023

Meaning

Fragrant or spicy.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

Etymology tree Ancient Greek ἄρωμα (árōma) Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Hellenic *-tis Ancient Greek -τῐς (-tĭs) Ancient Greek -σῐς (-sĭs) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Hellenic *-kos Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) ? Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Hellenic *-tós Ancient Greek -τος (-tos) ▲ Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) ? Ancient Greek -τικός (-tikós) Ancient Greek ἀρωματικός (arōmatikós)bor. Late Latin arōmaticusder. Old French aromatique Middle Frenchbor. Middle English English aromatic Late Middle English, from Middle French and Old French aromatique, from Late Latin aromaticus, from Ancient Greek ἄρωμα (árōma, “seasoning, spicy and/or fragrant smell”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

redolentambergrisambrosiaambrosialbalmyeffluviousessencedfloweryfragrantfruity

Antonyms

aliphatic

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle, including a pangram:

Join the Spelling Bee Community

Get solving strategies, rare word lists, and puzzle tips in your inbox every week.