NYT Dictionary

OBEAH

/ˈobia/

NounVerbO-be-aho-be-ah · 3 syllablesAdvanced/Professional

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2024

Meaning

A form of folk magic, medicine or witchcraft originating in Africa and practised in parts of the Caribbean.

Etymology

Origin: Unknown

Uncertain; apparently from a Caribbean creole, probably ultimately from a West African language. The Oxford English Dictionary points to Igbo abià (“knowledge, wisdom”), obìa (“doctor, healer”). Cognate of Aukan obiya, Saramaccan obia, and Sranan Tongo obia.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

mageshamanspellcasterarchmagearchmagicianbewitchercharmerconjurerillusionistKarcist

NYT Puzzle Appearances

No published puzzle dates on file for this word yet. It is part of the official NYT Spelling Bee word list for 2024.