NYT Dictionary

TUPPENCE

/ˈtʌp(ə)ns/
NounTUP-pencetup-pence · 2 syllablesCollege

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

Meaning

Two pence (in pre- or post-decimalisation currency).

Etymology

Origin: Unknown

By surface analysis, two + pence, collective plural of penny. Same for the definition: "Ellipsis of tuppence worth (“one’s opinion”)" however, this idiom is derived from this fact; in Britain it used to cost two pence ("tuppence") to post a letter, usually holding one's opinion.

Synonyms & Antonyms

NYT Puzzle Appearances

No published puzzle dates on file for this word yet. It is part of the official NYT Spelling Bee word list for 2019, 2024.

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