algorithm
/ˈælɡəɹɪðm̩/
"algorithm" is a 9-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.
The verdict
“algorithm” is a regularly-used English word, ranked #6,860 in English word frequency and used as a noun.
- #6,860
- frequency rank, English
- 9
- letters
- 14
- tracked misspellings
- 2
- confusable pairs
According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - 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 f...
Visual similarity to commonly confused words
How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).
Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Headword | algorithm |
| Language | English |
| Part of speech | Noun |
| IPA | /ˈælɡəɹɪðm̩/ |
| Letters | 9 |
| Frequency rank | #6,860 |
| Misspellings tracked | 14 |
| Confusable pairs | 2 |
| Source | Wiktionary (kaikki.org) |
Where “algorithm” sits in English frequency
Spelling & Dictionary Insight
The English entry for algorithm is 9 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈælɡəɹɪðm̩/. Corpus data places it at rank #6,860 in overall English word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 6 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.
Our generated misspelling index lists 14 likely wrong-spelling variants for algorithm, with forms such as "aglorithm", "alggorithm", and "algoirthm". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 2 confusable-pair relationships, "algorithms", "algorithmic", a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.
Etymologically, the entry records: Etymology tree Arabic ال (al-) Old Persian 𐎢𐎺𐎠𐎼𐏀𐎷𐎡𐏁 (u-v-a-r-z-mi-i-š) Classical Persian خْوَارَزْم (xwārazm)bor. Arabic خَوَارِزْم (ḵawārizm) Arabic ـِيّ (-iyy) Arabic خَوَارِزْمِيّ (ḵawārizmiyy) Arabic الخَوَارِزْمِيّ (al-ḵawārizmiyy)bor. Medieval… The correct English form is algorithm, spelled A-L-G-O-R-I-T-H-M.
Definition
- 1A 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.
- 2A flowchart illustrating a decision-making process for human users, especially health care professionals.
- 3Calculation with Arabic numerals; algorism.
- 4recommender systems and the curation of feeds
- 5recommender systems and the curation of feeds
- 6recommender systems and the curation of feeds
Etymology
Etymology tree Arabic ال (al-) Old Persian 𐎢𐎺𐎠𐎼𐏀𐎷𐎡𐏁 (u-v-a-r-z-mi-i-š) Classical Persian خْوَارَزْم (xwārazm)bor. Arabic خَوَارِزْم (ḵawārizm) Arabic ـِيّ (-iyy) Arabic خَوَارِزْمِيّ (ḵawārizmiyy) Arabic الخَوَارِزْمِيّ (al-ḵawārizmiyy)bor. Medieval Latin algorismusbor. Anglo-Norman algorismebor. Middle English algorisme English algorism ▲ English arithmo-influ. English algorithm From Middle English algorisme, augrym, from Anglo-Norman algorisme, augrim, from Medieval Latin algorismus, from Arabic الخَوَارِزْمِيّ (al-ḵawārizmiyy), the nisba of Persian mathematician Muḥammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī and a toponymic name meaning "person from Chorasmia". The spelling change (-s- > -th-) was influenced by unrelated Ancient Greek ἀριθμός (arithmós) (whence English arithmo-).
This word in other languages
Common misspellings
Also misspelled as: aglorithm,alggorithm,algoirthm,algorihtm,algorithhm,algorithmm,algoritmh,algoritthm,algorrithm,algortihm,algroithm,allgorithm,alogrithm,lagorithm
Misspelling Pattern Breakdown
How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of algorithm - counted as single-character edits (an insertion, a deletion, or a substituted letter). The larger the bar, the easier the typo is to spot; one-edit slips are the ones that sneak past readers.
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
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Using “algorithm”
The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.
- The one correct English spelling is A-L-G-O-R-I-T-H-M - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
- Say it as /ˈælɡəɹɪðm̩/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
- Don't mix it up with “algorithms” - see the side-by-side comparison. algorithm vs algorithms
- Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English 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.