NYT Dictionary

PUKE

/pjuːk/
NounVerbPJOOKGrade 2

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024

Meaning

vomit.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

Probably imitative; or, alternatively related to Proto-Germanic *pukaną (“to spit, puff”), from Proto-Indo-European *bew- (“to blow, swell”). If so, then related to German pfauchen, fauchen (“to hiss, spit”), Dutch spugen (“to spit, spit up”), German spucken (“to spit, puke, throw up”), and Old English spīwan (“to vomit, spit”). More at spew. Attested as early as 1581, first mention is the derivative pukishness (“the tendency to be sick frequently”). In 1600, "to spit up, regurgitate", recorded in the Seven Ages of Man speech in Shakespeare's As You Like It.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

vomitrotterregurgitatebarfspewthrow upspew upratskunkstinker

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle:

Join the Spelling Bee Community

Get solving strategies, rare word lists, and puzzle tips in your inbox every week.