NYT Dictionary

BLANCH

/blɑːnt͡ʃ/
VerbBLANTSGrade 8

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2025

Meaning

To grow or become white.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

From Middle English blaunchen, from Old French blanchir, from Old French blanc (“white”), from Early Medieval Latin blancus, from Frankish *blank, from Proto-Germanic *blankaz (“bright, shining, blinding, white”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰleyǵ- (“to shine”). Cognates Cognate with blench (“to deceive, to trick”) through Proto-Indo-European, whence other etymology of blanch.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

palliatepaleblenchparboilacheagonizeailanguishbakebarbecue

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle:

Join the Spelling Bee Community

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