NYT Dictionary

NEVER

/ˈnɛv.ɚ/

AdverbVerbInterjectionNEV-ernev-er · 2 syllablesGrade 2

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2026

Meaning

At no time; on no occasion; in no circumstance.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Germanic *ne Old English ne Proto-Indo-European *h₂ey- Proto-Indo-European *-u Proto-Indo-European *h₂óyu Proto-Indo-European *-osinflu. Proto-Germanic *aiwaz Proto-West Germanic *aiwder. Old English ā Proto-Indo-European *h₁én Proto-Germanic *in Proto-West Germanic *in Old English in Proto-Indo-European *perkʷ- Proto-Indo-European *-us Proto-Indo-European *pérkus Proto-Germanic *ferhuzder.? Proto-Germanic *ferhwą Proto-West Germanic *ferh Old English feorh ? Old English ǣfre Old English nǣfre Middle English nevere English never From Middle English nevere, navere, nævere, from Old English nǣfre (“never”), equivalent to ne + ever.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

at latter Lammasat no timein the reign of Queen Dickne'ernevernever evernot while pussy's a caton the second Tuesday of the weeksine diewhen Hell freezes over

Antonyms

goteverall the timealwaysconsistentlyconstantlycontinuallycontinuouslyforever

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle:

2026-08-19VELNOPR