# balsam

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈbɔːl.səm/ · frequency rank #44,075

## Definitions
1. A sweet-smelling oil or resin derived from various plants.
2. A plant or tree yielding such substance.
3. A soothing ointment.
4. Something soothing.
5. A flowering plant of the genus Impatiens.
6. The balsam family of flowering plants (Balsaminaceae), which includes Impatiens and Hydrocera.
7. A balsam fir Abies balsamea.
8. Canada balsam, a turpentine obtained from the resin of balsam fir.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin balsamum, from Ancient Greek βάλσαμον (bálsamon, “balsam”), of Semitic origin (Hebrew בושם (“spice, perfume”)); compare Old English balsam, balsamum (“balsam, balm”), Doublet of balm and desman. Not related to balsa.

## Easily confused with
- **basal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balsam-vs-basal)
- **bantam** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balsam-vs-bantam)
- **balsamic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balsam-vs-balsamic)
- **balm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balm-vs-balsam)
- **Bala** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bala-vs-balsam)
- **ballad** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ballad-vs-balsam)
- **Balkan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/balkan-vs-balsam)

## Common misspellings (9)
`ablsam`, `balasm`, `ballsam`, `balsamm`, `balsma`, `balssam`, `baslam`, `bbalsam`, `blasam`

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