NYT Dictionary

PILLOW

/ˈpɛ.loʊ/
NounVerbPIL-lowpil-low · 2 syllablesGrade 6

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

Meaning

A soft cushion used to support the head in bed.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Middle English pilwe, from Old English pyle, pylu (“pillow”), from Proto-West Germanic *pulwī (“pillow”), from Latin pulvīnus (“cushion”), derived from pulvis (“dust”), for the filler of a pillow. Doublet of pulvinus. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Peel (“pillow”), Alemannic German Pfulme (“pillow”), Dutch peluw (“a long, narrow pillow”), German Pfühl (“a big and soft pillow”), German Low German Pöhl (“pad, pillow, cushion”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

restbearbeddingblubberbolsterbracebreezebutterbuttresscarry

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 4 recorded puzzles:

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