NYT Dictionary
NATIONALITY
/ˌnæʃ.əˈnæl.ɪ.ti/Nounna-tion-AL-i-tyna-tion-al-i-ty · 5 syllablesGrade 3
Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2025
Meaning
Legal membership of a particular nation or state, by origin, birth, naturalization, ownership, allegiance or otherwise.
Etymology
Origin: Latin
From national + -ity, perhaps after French nationalité; ultimately from Latin nātio (“nation, people”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
affiliationallegianceancestrycitizenshipdescentenfranchisementethnicitynational statusnaturalizationorigin
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle, including a pangram: