NYT Dictionary

MARACA

/məˈɹæ.kə/
Nounma-RA-cama-ra-ca · 3 syllablesGrade 4

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

Meaning

A Latin American percussion instrument consisting of a hollow-gourd rattle containing pebbles or beans and often played in pairs, as a rhythm instrument.

Etymology

Origin: Portuguese

From Brazilian Portuguese maraca, derived from Old Tupi maraká or Paraguayan Guarani mbaraka (“rattle”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

assetsbabylonsballoonsbapsbadonkersbangersbazongasbazookasbazoombasbazooms

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 11 recorded puzzles:

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