# algorithm

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈælɡəɹɪðm̩/ · frequency rank #6,860

## Definitions
1. 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.
2. A flowchart illustrating a decision-making process for human users, especially health care professionals.
3. Calculation with Arabic numerals; algorism.
4. recommender systems and the curation of feeds
5. recommender systems and the curation of feeds
6. recommender 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-).

## Easily confused with
- **algorithms** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/algorithm-vs-algorithms)
- **algorithmic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/algorithm-vs-algorithmic)

## Common misspellings (14)
`aglorithm`, `alggorithm`, `algoirthm`, `algorihtm`, `algorithhm`, `algorithmm`, `algoritmh`, `algoritthm`, `algorrithm`, `algortihm`, `algroithm`, `allgorithm`, `alogrithm`, `lagorithm`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/algorithm