NYT Dictionary

WRAP

/ɹæp/
VerbNounRAPGrade 6

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2023, 2025

Meaning

To enclose (an object) completely in any flexible, thin material such as fabric or paper.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

From Middle English wrappen (“to wrap, fold”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to North Frisian wrappe (“to press into; stop up”), dialectal Danish vrappe (“to stuff, cram”), Middle Low German rincworpen (“to envelop, wrap”), Middle Low German wrempen (“to wrinkle, scrunch the face”), all perhaps tied to Proto-Indo-European *werp-, *werb- (“to turn, twist, bend”). Compare also similar-sounding and similar-meaning Middle English wlappen (“to wrap, lap, envelop, fold”), Middle Dutch lappen (“to wrap up”), Old Italian goluppare (“to wrap”) (from Germanic). Doublet of lap; related to envelop, develop. Also compare Latin verber (“whip, lash”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

bindwindenfoldlapenswatheenveloppackagewrapperwrappingroll

Antonyms

unwrapunwind

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.