# bait

> English word · Noun · IPA /beɪt/ · frequency rank #8,894

## Definitions
1. Any substance, especially food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, trap, or net.
2. Food containing poison or a harmful additive to kill animals that are pests.
3. Anything which allures; something or someone used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something.
4. Anything which allures; something or someone used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something.
5. Anything which allures; something or someone used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something.
6. A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
7. A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
8. A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
9. A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
10. A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
11. A post intended to elicit a, usually strong or negative, reaction from others.

## Etymology
From Middle English bayte, bait, beite, from Old Norse beita (“food, bait”), from Proto-Germanic *baitō (“that which is bitten, bait”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeyd- (“to cleave, split, separate”). Cognate with German Beize (“mordant, corrosive fluid; marinade”), Old English bāt (“that which can be bitten, food, bait”). Related to bite.

## Easily confused with
- **bi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-bi)
- **Bt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-bt)
- **but** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-but)
- **big** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-big)
- **bit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-bit)
- **bar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-bar)
- **bet** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-bet)
- **bay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-bay)
- **ban** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-ban)
- **BID** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-bid)
- **bat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-bat)
- **bin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-bin)
- **bio** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-bio)
- **bot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-bot)
- **bam** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-bam)
- **BMI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-bmi)
- **Boi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-boi)
- **bis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-bis)
- **biz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-biz)
- **Bas** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bait-vs-bas)

## Common misspellings (5)
`abit`, `baitt`, `bati`, `bbait`, `biat`

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