NYT Dictionary

FANATIC

/fəˈnæt.ɪk/
AdjectiveNounfa-NAT-icfa-nat-ic · 3 syllablesGrade 12

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2025

Meaning

Fanatical.

Etymology

Origin: Latin

First attested in 1525. Learned borrowing from Latin fānāticus (“of a temple, divinely inspired, frenzied”), from fānum (“temple”). Influenced by French fanatique.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

freakfiendfanaticaloverzealousrabidaddictaficionadoalienardentass

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles:

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