Schmetterling

[ˈʃmɛtɐlɪŋ]

/[ˈʃmɛtɐlɪŋ]/ noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

The verdict

“Schmetterling” is a moderately-common German word, ranked #13,010 in German word frequency and used as a noun.

#13,010
frequency rank, German
13
letters
20
tracked misspellings
2
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - Insekt mit farbig beschuppten Flügeln (Ordnung Lepidoptera)

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

Schmetterling vs Schmetterlinge
93% similar
Schmetterling vs Schmetterlingen
87% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for Schmetterling
PropertyValue
HeadwordSchmetterling
LanguageGerman
Part of speechNoun
IPA[ˈʃmɛtɐlɪŋ]
Letters13
Frequency rank#13,010
Misspellings tracked20
Confusable pairs2
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “Schmetterling” sits in German frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). Schmetterling lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The German entry for Schmetterling is 13 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as [ˈʃmɛtɐlɪŋ]. Corpus data places it at rank #13,010 in overall German word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 6 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 20 likely wrong-spelling variants for Schmetterling, with forms such as "cshmetterling", "scchmetterling", and "schemtterling". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. It also participates in 2 confusable-pair relationships, "Schmetterlinge", "Schmetterlingen", since the words sound or look close enough that writers reach for the wrong one mid-sentence.

Our source data has no etymology on file for this entry, so its spelling pattern is best understood through pronunciation rather than a traceable origin. The correct German form is Schmetterling, spelled S-C-H-M-E-T-T-E-R-L-I-N-G.

Definition

  1. 1
    Insekt mit farbig beschuppten Flügeln (Ordnung Lepidoptera)
  2. 2
    im engeren Sinne ein Tagfalter (tagaktiver Schmetterling^([1]))
  3. 3
    ein Schwimmstil
  4. 4
    eine Stellung der Segel
  5. 5
    freier Salto mit halber Drehung am höchsten Punkt
  6. 6
    eine (Kamasutra-)Sexstellung, bei der die Frau oder auch der Mann eine leicht passive Rolle hat

Synonyms

LepidopteraFalterZwiefalterTagfalterSommervogelSchmetterlingsschwimmenSchmetterlingsstellung

Antonyms

Nachtfalter

This word in other languages

butterfly(English)mariposa(Español)papillon(Français)borboleta(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: cshmetterling,scchmetterling,schemtterling,schhmetterling,schmeterling,schmetetrling,schmettelring,schmetterilng,schmetterlign,schmetterlingg,schmetterlinng,schmetterlling,schmetterlnig,schmetterrling,schmettreling,schmmetterling,schmteterling,scmhetterling,shcmetterling,sschmetterling

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of Schmetterling - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

cshmetterling2scchmetterling1schemtterling2schhmetterling1schmeterling1schmetetrling2schmettelring2schmetterilng2
Edit distance from "Schmetterling"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 German corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "Schmetterling"?
"Schmetterling" is spelled S-C-H-M-E-T-T-E-R-L-I-N-G. The IPA pronunciation is [ˈʃmɛtɐlɪŋ].
What does "Schmetterling" mean?
As a noun, "Schmetterling" means: Insekt mit farbig beschuppten Flügeln (Ordnung Lepidoptera)
What words are commonly confused with "Schmetterling"?
"Schmetterling" is commonly confused with "Schmetterlinge", "Schmetterlingen". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "Schmetterling"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "Schmetterling" is [ˈʃmɛtɐlɪŋ]. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What language does "Schmetterling" come from?
"Schmetterling" is a German word. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, and spelling data for this and other words across English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and German on PlainSpell.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “Schmetterling”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct German spelling is S-C-H-M-E-T-T-E-R-L-I-N-G - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as [ˈʃmɛtɐlɪŋ] (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “Schmetterlinge” - see the side-by-side comparison. Schmetterling vs Schmetterlinge
  • Browse more German words and confusable pairs in the same reference. German words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list