NYT Dictionary

TUNNEL

/ˈtʌn(ə)l/
NounVerbTUN-neltun-nel · 2 syllablesGrade 9

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

Meaning

An underground or underwater passage.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *temh₁-? Proto-Indo-European *tend- Proto-Indo-European *tondeh₂ Proto-Celtic *tondā Gaulishbor.? Medieval Latin tunna Old French tone Proto-Indo-European *-lós Proto-Indo-European *-elós Proto-Italic *-elos Latin -lus Latin -ellus Old French -el Old French tonelbor. Middle English tonnel English tunnel From Middle English tonnel, from Old French tonel(e), diminutive of tone (“cask”), a word of uncertain origin and affiliation. Related to Old English tunne (“tun; cask; barrel”). More at tun.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

undermineburrowaccessaditaislealleyambulatoryaperturearcadeartery

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 5 recorded puzzles:

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