NYT Dictionary

MAGENTA

/məˈd͡ʒɛntə/
NounAdjectivema-GEN-tama-gen-ta · 3 syllablesGrade 3

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

Meaning

A color which is close to the equal mixture of red and blue which is an additive secondary color but a subtractive primary color evoked by the combination of red and light blue.

Etymology

Origin: Latin

Borrowed from French magenta, from Italian Magenta, in commemoration of the Franco-Italian victory at the Battle of Magenta in 1859. An aniline dye in this colour had been invented the same year by French chemist François-Emmanuel Verguin and was named in honour of the battle. The town's name derives from Latin Castra Maxentia (“the camp named Maxentia”), referring to the emperor Maxentius. Compare Castra Regina for a similar appositional use of a proper noun with castra.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

fuchsiafuchsineamethystinelavenderlividlilacmauvemulberryorchidpurple

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 3 recorded puzzles:

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