NYT Dictionary

GOAD

/ɡoʊd/
NounVerbGOHDGrade 8

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

Meaning

A long, pointed stick used to prod animals.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Middle English gode, from Old English gād (“goad”), from Proto-Germanic *gaidō (compare Old Norse gedda (“pike (fish)”), Lombardic gaida (“spear”)), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰey- (compare Old Irish gath (“spear”), Sanskrit हिन्वति (hinvati), हिनोति (hinoti, “to urge on, throw”), हेति (heti, “missile, projectile”)). Doublet of gad and yard; see also xyston.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

bieldemboldenheartenactuatespurabetgoosefuellight a fire undersend

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 5 recorded puzzles:

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