NYT Dictionary

MAMBO

/ˈmɑmboʊ/

NounVerbMAM-bomam-bo · 2 syllablesGrade 6

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

Meaning

A voodoo priestess (in Haiti)

Etymology

Origin: Spanish

From Haitian Creole manbo (“voodoo priestess”) (ultimately from Yoruba mambo (“to talk”)), in later senses via Cuban Spanish mambo (“dance”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

dancehustlejig

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 10 recorded puzzles:

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