NYT Dictionary

CLEF

/klɛf/
NounKLEFGrade 8

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

Meaning

A symbol found on a musical staff that indicates the pitches represented by the lines and the spaces on the staff

Etymology

Origin: Latin

Borrowed from Middle French clef, from Latin clāvis (“a key”). Doublet of clave and clavis.

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 6 recorded puzzles:

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