NYT Dictionary

RATTAIL

/ˈɹæt.teɪl/
NounRAT-tailrat-tail · 2 syllablesGrade 5

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026

Meaning

Any of the large dark-colored deep-sea fish of the Macrouridae family of ray-finned fish.

Etymology

Origin: Unknown

From rat + tail: all of the nonliteral senses come from something else's fancied resemblance to the tail of a rat.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

grenadiermacrouridwhiptailrat-tail filebraidbrushbuncoilcuedock

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 8 recorded puzzles:

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