# altar

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɒl.tə/ · frequency rank #9,562

## Definitions
1. A table or similar flat-topped structure used for religious rites.
2. A raised area around an altar in a church; the sanctuary.
3. Any (real or notional) place where something is worshipped or sacrificed to.

## Etymology
Inherited from Middle English auter, inherited from Old English altar and borrowed from Old French auter, both derived from Latin altāre, probably related to adolere (“burn”); thus "burning place", influenced by altus (“high”). Displaced native Middle English wēved.

## Easily confused with
- **ATA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-ata)
- **ATR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-atr)
- **alto** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-alto)
- **atta** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-atta)
- **Amar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-amar)
- **Alva** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-alva)
- **Asta** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-asta)
- **alter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-alter)
- **Alton** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-alton)
- **Anwar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-anwar)
- **atari** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-atari)
- **Astor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-astor)
- **Azhar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-azhar)
- **aster** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-aster)
- **altho** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-altho)
- **Ansar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-ansar)
- **alway** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-alway)
- **avatar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-avatar)
- **Altman** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/altar-vs-altman)
- **alt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alt-vs-altar)

## Common misspellings (7)
`alatr`, `alltar`, `altarr`, `altra`, `alttar`, `atlar`, `latar`

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