NYT Dictionary

BROOK

/bɾʊk/
VerbNounBRUHKGrade 3

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

Meaning

To bear; endure; support; put up with; tolerate.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Middle English brouken (“to use, enjoy”), from Old English brūcan (“to enjoy, brook, use, possess, partake of, spend”), from Proto-West Germanic *brūkan, from Proto-Germanic *brūkaną (“to enjoy, use”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰruHg- (“to enjoy”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian bruke (“to need”), Dutch bruiken (“to use”), German Low German bruken (“to need”), German brauchen (“to need”), Swedish bruka (“to use”), Icelandic brúka (“to use”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

abearabideabyacceptallowbearbidebrookdreeendure

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 5 recorded puzzles:

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