NYT Dictionary
DEBUT
/deɪˈbjuː/NounVerbde-BUTde-but · 2 syllablesGrade 12
Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2023
Meaning
A performer's first performance to the public, in sport, the arts or some other area.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
Borrowed from French début, from Middle French, derivative of débuter (“to move, begin”), from dé- + but (“mark, goal”), from Old French but (“aim, goal, end, target”), from Old French butte (“mound, knoll, target”), from Frankish *but (“stump, log”), or from Old Norse bútr (“log, stump, butt”); both from Proto-Germanic *butą (“end, piece”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰewd- (“to beat, push”). Cognate with Old English butt (“tree stump”). More at butt. The Philippine sense is influenced by Spanish debut.
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle: