NYT Dictionary

LAIR

/ˈleː/
NounVerbLAIRlair · 1 syllableGrade 7

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

Meaning

A place inhabited by a wild animal, often a cave or a hole in the ground.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Middle English leir, leire, lair, lare, from Old English leġer (“couch, bed”), from Proto-Germanic *legrą, from Proto-Indo-European *legʰ-.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

burrowdenholthide-outashramasylumbordellobrothelbunkercache

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 22 recorded puzzles:

+10 earlier appearances in the archive.

Join the Spelling Bee Community

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