NYT Dictionary

INITIATE

/ɪˈnɪʃ.i.eɪt/
VerbNounAdjectiveini-TI-ateini-ti-ate · 3 syllablesGrade 5

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

Meaning

To begin; to start.

Etymology

Origin: Latin

Borrowed from Latin initiātus, perfect passive participle of initiō (“to begin, originate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from initium (“a beginning”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix), from initus (“an entrance, coming in, approach”) + -ium, from ineō + -tus, from in- + eō (“to go”). Cognate with French initier.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

commenceinstituteinductnovicebeginnertyrotiropunditsavantenlightened

Antonyms

noninitiatenovicepausehaltsuspenddiscontinuefinishconcludecompletestop

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 6 recorded puzzles:

Join the Spelling Bee Community

Get solving strategies, rare word lists, and puzzle tips in your inbox every week.