NYT Dictionary

WAVE

/wæɪv/
VerbNounWAYVGrade 4

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2023

Meaning

To move back and forth repeatedly and somewhat loosely.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Middle English waven, from Old English wafian (“to wave, fluctuate, waver in mind, wonder”), from Proto-West Germanic *wabōn, from Proto-Germanic *wabōną, *wabjaną (“to wander, sway”), from Proto-Indo-European *webʰ- (“to move to and from, wander”). Cognate with Middle High German waben (“to wave”), German wabern (“to waft”), Icelandic váfa (“to fluctuate, waver, doubt”). See also waver.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

undrushMexican waveundulationwavingwaftureaddressadvertiseaffectair

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle:

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