NYT Dictionary

FETTLE

/ˈfɛtl̩/
NounVerbFET-tlefet-tle · 2 syllablesGrade 12

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

Meaning

A state of physical condition; kilter or trim.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Late Middle English fetlen (“(verb) to bestow; to fix, prepare, put in place; to prepare (oneself) for battle, gird up; to shape; to be about to, or to ready (oneself) to stay; (adjective) shaped (well or poorly)”) [and other forms], which possibly: * from Old English fetel (“belt, girdle, fettle”), from Proto-Germanic *fatilaz, further etymology unknown; or * from Old English fetian (“to fetch”), from Proto-Germanic *fatōną, *fatjaną (“to fetch”), from Proto-Indo-European *ped- (“foot”). Compare Old English ġefetelsod (“provided with a belt; trimmed, polished, ornamented”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

adjustmentconditiondressfitnessformgroomhealthorderplumepreen

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 6 recorded puzzles:

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