NYT Dictionary

CONTRACT

/ˈkɑntɹækt/
NounAdjectiveVerbCON-tractcon-tract · 2 syllablesGrade 9

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

Meaning

An agreement between two or more parties, to perform a specific job or work order, often temporary or of fixed duration and usually governed by a written agreement.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

From Middle English, from Old French contract, from Latin contractus (noun), from contrahere (“to bring together, to bring about, to conclude a bargain”) [from con- (“with, together”) + trahere (“to draw, to pull”)] + -tus (suffix forming nouns from verbs).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

compactpactcontract lawabatedecreaselessenreduceshortenshrinkcatch

Antonyms

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles:

Join the Spelling Bee Community

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