NYT Dictionary

EBONY

/ˈɛb.ən.i/
NounAdjectiveEB-on-yeb-on-y · 3 syllablesGrade 6

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

Meaning

A hard, dense, deep black wood from various subtropical and tropical trees, especially of the genus Diospyros.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

Etymology tree Egyptian U13:n-Z4:M3 (hbnj)bor. Ancient Greek ἕβενος (hébenos)bor. Latin hebenus Proto-Indo-European *-(i)yós Proto-Italic *-ijos Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Latin -ius Latin ebeniusder. Middle English ebenif English heben, hebeny English ebony From earlier heben, hebeny, from Middle English ebenif, hebenyf (influenced by Late Latin hebeninus), from Ecclesiastical Latin ebenius (“of ebony”), from Latin hebenus (“ebon tree”), from Ancient Greek ἔβενος (ébenos), from Egyptian hbnj, U13:n-Z4:M3

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

onyxravensableebonblackcharcoalcoalcrowdarkdusky

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 5 recorded puzzles:

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