NYT Dictionary

BALD

/bɑːld/
AdjectiveNounVerbBAWLDGrade 6

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

Meaning

Having little or no hair, fur, or feathers.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰel-der. Proto-Germanic *balluz Old English *beall Middle English bal? Proto-Indo-European *bʰel- Proto-Indo-European *bʰḗlH-o-m Proto-Germanic *bēlą Proto-West Germanic *bāl Old English bæl? Middle English balled English bald From Middle English balled, ballid, bald (“bald”), of uncertain origin. Probably formed from Middle English bal, balle (“ball, round object, knoll, head”). Compare Old Danish bældet (“bald”). An alternate etymology relates it to Old English bǣl (“fire, flame; funeral pyre”), from Proto-Germanic *bēlą. Compare Albanian balë (“white spot on the forehead”) and ballë (“forehead”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

hairlessbarefaceddenudeddenudateasceticausterespartanacomousbarebeardless

Antonyms

faxedhaired

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 12 recorded puzzles:

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