albatross

/ˈæl.bəˌtɹɒs/

//ˈæl.bəˌtɹɒs// noun

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

"albatross" is a 9-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“albatross” has 12 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #32,669. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#32,669
frequency rank, English
35,202
“A” headwords
12
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - Any of various large seabirds of the family Diomedeidae ranging widely in the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific and having a hooked beak and long narrow wings.

Key facts for albatross
PropertyValue
Headwordalbatross
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈæl.bəˌtɹɒs/
Letters9
Frequency rank#32,669
Misspellings tracked12
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “albatross” sits in English 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). albatross lands here:

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

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

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 12 spelling variants around albatross (IPA /ˈæl.bəˌtɹɒs/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #32,669 among 35,202 “A” headwords. Wiktionary lists 4 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 12 likely wrong-spelling variants for albatross, with forms such as "ablatross", "alabtross", and "albartoss". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. No confusable counterpart is on file for this word, since no other headword is close enough in sound or shape to pair with it.

Etymologically, the entry records: Uncertain. Probably from Spanish or Portuguese alcatraz (“pelican, gannet, albatross”), probably derived from Arabic الْغَطَّاس (al-ḡaṭṭās, “the diver”) (compare Alcatraz); or from Portuguese alcatruz (“water wheel bucket”), from Arabic الْقَادُوس (al-qādūs… The correct English form is albatross, spelled A-L-B-A-T-R-O-S-S.

Definition

  1. 1
    Any of various large seabirds of the family Diomedeidae ranging widely in the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific and having a hooked beak and long narrow wings.
  2. 2
    Any of various African and Asian pierid butterflies of the genus Appias. Some species of this genus are also known as puffins.
  3. 3
    A double eagle, or three under par on any one hole, except a par 3 hole.
  4. 4
    A long-term impediment, burden, or curse.

Etymology

Uncertain. Probably from Spanish or Portuguese alcatraz (“pelican, gannet, albatross”), probably derived from Arabic الْغَطَّاس (al-ḡaṭṭās, “the diver”) (compare Alcatraz); or from Portuguese alcatruz (“water wheel bucket”), from Arabic الْقَادُوس (al-qādūs), from Ancient Greek κάδος (kádos, “pail, jar”), in reference to the pouch of a pelican. In either case, altered under the influence of Latin albus (“white”). Not derived from modern Arabic قَطْرَس (qaṭras, “albatross”), which is perhaps borrowed from Spanish. For sense development of "burden", see albatross around one’s neck.

Synonyms

gooney birdgooneygooniemollymawk

This word in other languages

albatros(Español)albatros(Français)Albatros(Deutsch)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • ablatross
  • alabtross
  • albartoss
  • albatorss
  • albatros
  • albatrross
  • albatrsos
  • albattross
  • albbatross
  • albtaross
  • allbatross
  • labatross

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of albatross - 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.

ablatross2alabtross2albartoss2albatorss2albatros1albatrross1albatrsos2albattross1
Edit distance from "albatross"

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 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "albatross"?
"albatross" is spelled A-L-B-A-T-R-O-S-S. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈæl.bəˌtɹɒs/.
What does "albatross" mean?
As a noun, "albatross" means: Any of various large seabirds of the family Diomedeidae ranging widely in the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific and having a hooked beak and long narrow wings.
What are common misspellings of "albatross"?
Common misspellings include "ablatross", "alabtross", "albartoss", "albatorss", "albatros". The correct spelling is "albatross".
How do you pronounce "albatross"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "albatross" is /ˈæl.bəˌtɹɒs/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "albatross"?
Uncertain. Probably from Spanish or Portuguese alcatraz (“pelican, gannet, albatross”), probably derived from Arabic الْغَطَّاس (al-ḡaṭṭās, “the diver”) (compare Alcatraz); or from Portuguese alcatruz (“water wheel bucket”), from Arabic الْقَادُوس... See the full etymology section above for more details.
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 “albatross”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is A-L-B-A-T-R-O-S-S - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈæl.bəˌtɹɒs/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Same frequency band

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