NYT Dictionary

KINETIC

/kɪˈnɛtɪk/
Adjectiveki-NET-icki-net-ic · 3 syllablesCollege

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

Meaning

Relating to motion.

Etymology

Origin: Ancient Greek

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *keyh₂-der. Ancient Greek κῑνέω (kīnéō) Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Hellenic *-tis Ancient Greek -τῐς (-tĭs) Ancient Greek -σῐς (-sĭs) Ancient Greek κῑ́νησῐς (kī́nēsĭs) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Hellenic *-kos Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) Ancient Greek -ῐκός (-ĭkós) Ancient Greek κινητικός (kinētikós)der. English kinetic From Ancient Greek κινητικός (kinētikós, “puts in motion”), from κινέω (kinéō, “I move, put in motion”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

motivemotionalambulatoryanimatekineticmobilemotilemovablevagilefrenetic

Antonyms

staticlazylogicsluggish

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 4 recorded puzzles:

Join the Spelling Bee Community

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