NYT Dictionary

BEDFELLOW

/ˈbɛdˌfɛloʊ/
NounBED-fel-lowbed-fel-low · 3 syllablesGrade 7

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2022, 2023, 2025

Meaning

One with whom one shares a bed.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

From Middle English bedfelawe, equivalent to bed + fellow. Sense 2 "associate, especially improbable" is influenced by strange bedfellow and its allusion to Shakespeare's The Tempest.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

bedmatebedpartneraceadjunctallyamigoassociatebrotherbuddybunkie

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles, including a pangram:

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