NYT Dictionary

BLEAT

/ˈbliːt/
NounVerbBLEETGrade 8

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

Meaning

The characteristic cry of a sheep or a goat.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Middle English bleten, from Old English blǣtan (“to bleat”), from Proto-West Germanic *blātijan, from Proto-Germanic *blētijaną (“to bleat”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰleh₁- (“to howl, cry, bleat”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰel- (“to make a loud noise”). Cognate with Scots blete, bleit, West Frisian bâlte, blaaien, blêtsje (“to bleat”), Dutch blaten (“to bleat”), Low German bleten (“to bleat”), German blaßen, blässen (“to bleat”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

baabaaingbleatingblatkvetchmoanwhingewhinehollerdrone on

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 5 recorded puzzles:

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