NYT Dictionary

MAGNET

/mæɡnɛʈ/
NounMAG-netmag-net · 2 syllablesGrade 1

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

Meaning

A piece of material that attracts some metals by magnetism.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

Etymology tree Old French magnetebor. Pre-Greekbor.? Ancient Greek Μάγνης (Mágnēs) Ancient Greek μᾰ́γνης (mắgnēs)bor. Latin magnēsbor. Middle English magnete English magnet From Middle English magnete, via Old French magnete, Latin magnēs, magnētem (“lodestone”), from Ancient Greek μαγνῆτις [λίθος] (magnêtis [líthos], “Magnesian [stone]”), either after the Lydian city Magnesia ad Sipylum (modern-day Manisa, Turkey), or after the Greek region of Μαγνησία (Magnēsía) (whence came the colonists who founded the city in Lydia). Related to manganese, magnesia and magnesium.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

lodestoneattractionattractorattracterambitionattractcatchcynosuredesideratumdesire

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 3 recorded puzzles:

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