NYT Dictionary

FOCAL

/ˈfoʊ.kl̩/
AdjectiveNounFO-calfo-cal · 2 syllablesGrade 5

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

Meaning

Belonging to, concerning, or located at a focus (definite location).

Etymology

Origin: Latin

Learned borrowing from New Latin focālis. By surface analysis, focus + -al.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

approachingarchbannerbasicbedrockcapitalcardinalcentralcentripetalchampion

Antonyms

nonfocalwidespreadlocoregionalsystemic

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles:

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