# attrition

> English word · Noun · IPA /əˈtɹɪʃən/ · frequency rank #23,463

## Definitions
1. Grinding down or wearing away by friction.
2. Grinding down or wearing away by friction.
3. A gradual reduction in number.
4. A gradual reduction in number.
5. A gradual reduction in number.
6. A gradual reduction in number.
7. Imperfect contrition or remorse.

## Etymology
15th century, from Middle English attricion, attricioun, from Middle French attricion, attrition and its etymon, Latin attrītiō (“a rubbing against”), from the verb attrītus, past participle of atterō (“to wear”), from ad- (“to, towards”) + terō (“to rub”). By surface analysis, attrit + -ion.

## Easily confused with
- **attention** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/attention-vs-attrition)
- **attraction** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/attraction-vs-attrition)
- **attribution** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/attribution-vs-attrition)

## Common misspellings (12)
`atrition`, `atrtition`, `attirtion`, `attriiton`, `attrision`, `attritino`, `attritionn`, `attritoin`, `attrittion`, `attrrition`, `attrtiion`, `tatrition`

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