NYT Dictionary

OCTAVE

/ˈɑktɪv/
NounVerbAdjectiveOC-taveoc-tave · 2 syllablesGrade 4

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2023, 2025

Meaning

An interval of twelve semitones spanning eight degrees of the diatonic scale, representing a doubling or halving in pitch frequency.

Etymology

Origin: Latin

From Latin octavus (“eighth”). Doublet of octavo, ochava, and oitava.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

bassoonbookburdencantocellochorusclarinetclarioncornetcouplet

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles:

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