Which to use
“algorithm” and “algorithms” are a confusable English pair: similar on the page, but distinct in meaning, check the gloss before you choose.
- #6,860
- “algorithm” frequency rank
- #9,433
- “algorithms” frequency rank
- 16293
- confusion score
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | algorithm | algorithms |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A collection of ordered steps that solve a mathematical problem. A precise step-by-step plan for a computational procedure that possibly begins with an input value and yields an output value in a finite number of steps. | plural of algorithm |
Where the eye mixes algorithm and algorithms
Muted = shared; highlighted = the visual trap. They share 9 letters in sequence.
Look-alike desk: algorithm vs algorithms
A purely visual mix-up. algorithm (/ˈælɡəɹɪðm̩/) and algorithms (/ˈæl.ɡə.ɹɪðəmz/) are said differently, so reading them aloud is the quickest way to catch the wrong one. On the page they stay close: they differ by 1 extra letter(s) - “algorithm” sits inside “algorithms”. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 16293, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.
algorithm is recorded at frequency rank #6,860, classified as anoun, pronounced /ˈælɡəɹɪðm̩/. algorithms is at rank #9,433, tagged as anoun, pronounced /ˈæl.ɡə.ɹɪðəmz/.
Glosses for this pair are partially populated in our dataset, but the full side-by-side definitions above should still guide you to the right choice.
With a confusion score of 16293, this pair ranks #458,689 of 530,003 scored English confusable pairs - a relatively easy-to-tell-apart pair.
Orthographic DNA of algorithm vs algorithms
Shared letters: aghilmort. Private to "algorithm": -. Private to "algorithms": s.
"algorithm" · 9 letters · shape VCCVCVCCC · "algorithms" · 10 letters · shape VCCVCVCCCC
Known mistypes of this pair
- algorithm ← aglorithm · alggorithm · algoirthm · algorihtm · algorithhm · algorithmm · algoritmh · algoritthm
- algorithms ← aglorithms · alggorithms · algoirthms · algorihtms · algorithhms · algorithmms · algorithmss · algorithsm
Frequently Asked Questions
Can "algorithm" and "algorithms" be used interchangeably?
Which is more common, "algorithm" or "algorithms"?
Useful next steps
Pronunciation already separates them, if the page still looks alike, the dictionary links below settle it.
- Full dictionary entry for "algorithm" with definition, IPA, and generated misspellings. Word entry
- Full dictionary entry for "algorithms" - compare definitions side by side with the headword page. Word entry
- This pair ranks #458,689 of 530,003 scored English confusable pairs in this corpus vintage. Corpus statistics
- "algorithm" and "algorithms" also get mixed up with nearby pairs, the highest-scored neighbour is "algorithmic vs algorithms". Nearby pair
- Recorded mistypes exist for at least one side of this pair, useful when a spell-checker or OCR lands on the wrong form. See mistypes
Confusion rank #458,689 of 530,003 scored English pairs, corpus vintage 2026-09-03, not spelling advice.