NYT Dictionary

FUNNEL

/ˈfʌnəl/
NounVerbFUN-nelfun-nel · 2 syllablesGrade 3

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

Meaning

A utensil in the shape of an inverted hollow cone terminating in a narrow pipe, for channeling liquids or granular material; typically used when transferring said substances from any container into ones with a significantly smaller opening.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

From Middle English funell, fonel, probably through Old French *founel (compare Middle French fonel, Old Occitan fonilh, enfounilh), from Latin fundibulum, infundibulum (“funnel”), from infundere (“to pour in”); in (“in”) + fundere (“to pour”); compare Breton founilh (“funnel”), Welsh ffynel (“air hole, chimney”). See fuse.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

approachasymptotebottleneckcarrycathetercentercentralizechannelchimneyclose

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 5 recorded puzzles:

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