NYT Dictionary

DOMINANT

/ˈdɑmənənt/
NounAdjectiveDOM-i-nantdom-i-nant · 3 syllablesGrade 12

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2021, 2024

Meaning

The fifth major tone of a musical scale (five major steps above the note in question); thus G is the dominant of C, A of D, and so on.

Etymology

Origin: French

Borrowed from Middle French dominant.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

imposingprevalentdominatorprevailingpredominantrifeabsoluteaccidentalarchascendant

Antonyms

submissiveobedientdefiantrebellioussubordinaterecessive

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle, including a pangram:

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