NYT Dictionary

TOUPEE

/tuːˈpeɪ/
Nountou-PEEtou-pee · 2 syllablesGrade 5

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2021, 2023, 2026

Meaning

A wig of false hair worn to cover a bald spot, especially as worn by a man.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

1727, from French toupet (“small tuft of hair, forelock”), from Middle French toupet (“small tuft of hair, forelock”), from Old French toupet (“small tuft of hair, forelock”), diminutive of toupe, top (“tuft of hair”), from Frankish *topp (“summit, crest, tuft of hair”), from Proto-Germanic *tuppaz (“summit, crest, tuft of hair”). Cognate with Old Dutch topp (“top”) (Dutch top), Old Frisian top (“summit, crest, tuft of hair”), Old English top (“summit, crest, tuft of hair”), Old High German zopf (“end, summit, tuft of hair”), Old Norse toppr (“tuft of hair, forelock”). More at top.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

hairpiecehair systemtoupewig

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles:

Join the Spelling Bee Community

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