NYT Dictionary

DOCILE

/ˈdɑ.səl/

AdjectiveDOC-iledoc-ile · 2 syllablesGrade 12

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2020

Meaning

Ready to accept instruction or direction; obedient; subservient.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *deḱ- Proto-Indo-European *-yeti Proto-Indo-European *-éyeti Proto-Indo-European *doḱ-éye-ti Proto-Italic *dokejō Proto-Italic *dokeō Ancient Greek διδάσκω (didáskō)sl. Latin doceō Proto-Indo-European *-elis Proto-Italic *-elis Latin -ilis Latin docilisder. Middle French docilebor. Middle English docyle English docile From Middle English docyle, from Middle French docile, from Latin docilis, from docēre (“teach”). Compare Portuguese dócil ("docile").

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

amenablecompliantteachablebowsomebuxomhearsomemorigerousobedibleobedientobsequent

Antonyms

perversedefiantrebelliouswilfulauthoritarianbossydictatorialdominantdomineeringimperious

NYT Puzzle Appearances

No published puzzle dates on file for this word yet. It is part of the official NYT Spelling Bee word list for 2020.