NYT Dictionary

CLEAVE

/ˈkliːv/
VerbNounCLEAVEcleave · 1 syllableGrade 8

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2024, 2025, 2026

Meaning

To split or sever something with, or as if with, a sharp instrument.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Middle English cleven, from the Old English strong verb clēofan (“to split, to separate”), from Proto-West Germanic *kleuban, from Proto-Germanic *kleubaną, from Proto-Indo-European *glewbʰ- (“to cut, to slice”). Doublet of clive. Cognate with Dutch klieven, dialectal German klieben, Swedish klyva, Norwegian Nynorsk kløyva; also Ancient Greek γλύφω (glúphō, “carve”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

rivesplitclingadherestickcohereabideaccelerateactivateamputate

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 4 recorded puzzles:

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