NYT Dictionary

TOXIC

/ˈtɑk.sɪk/
AdjectiveTOX-ictox-ic · 2 syllablesGrade 9

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

Meaning

Having a chemical nature that is harmful to health or lethal if consumed or otherwise entering into the body in sufficient quantities.

Etymology

Origin: Latin

Etymology tree Undeterminedder.? Ancient Greek τόξον (tóxon) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Hellenic *-kos Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) Ancient Greek -ῐκός (-ĭkós) Ancient Greek τοξῐκός (toxĭkós) Ancient Greek τοξικόν (toxikón)der. Latin toxicum Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Italic *-kos Latin -cus Latin toxicusbor. French toxiquebor. English toxic Borrowed from French toxique, from Late Latin toxicus (“poisoned”), from Latin toxicum (“poison”), from Ancient Greek τοξικόν (toxikón) [φάρμακον (phármakon)] ("poison for use on arrows"), from τοξικός (toxikós, “pertaining to arrows or archery”), from τόξον (tóxon, “bow”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

poisonousvenomousantibioticantisepticbalefulbanefulcatchingcommunicablecontagiouscorrosive

Antonyms

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 5 recorded puzzles:

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