blockbuster

/ˈblɒkˌbʌs.tə(ɹ)/

//ˈblɒkˌbʌs.tə(ɹ)// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"blockbuster" is a 11-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“blockbuster” has 18 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #15,350. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#15,350
frequency rank, English
31,241
“B” headwords
18
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A high-explosive bomb used for the purposes of demolishing extensive areas, such as a city block.

Key facts for blockbuster
PropertyValue
Headwordblockbuster
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈblɒkˌbʌs.tə(ɹ)/
Letters11
Frequency rank#15,350
Misspellings tracked18
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “blockbuster” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). blockbuster lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 18 spelling variants around blockbuster (IPA /ˈblɒkˌbʌs.tə(ɹ)/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #15,350 among 31,241 “B” headwords. Wiktionary lists 6 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 18 likely wrong-spelling variants for blockbuster, with forms such as "bblockbuster", "blcokbuster", and "bllockbuster". Every one of these variants traces to a single-character edit -- an added or dropped letter, a swapped consonant, or a vowel swap -- the kind of slip a spell-checker is built to catch. Our dataset records no confusable match here, a sign it's visually distinctive enough not to be mixed up with another word.

Etymologically, the entry records: From block + buster, referring originally to aerial bombs capable of destroying a whole block of buildings. The correct English form is blockbuster, spelled B-L-O-C-K-B-U-S-T-E-R.

Definition

  1. 1
    A high-explosive bomb used for the purposes of demolishing extensive areas, such as a city block.
  2. 2
    Something, such as a film or book, that sustains exceptional and widespread popularity and achieves enormous sales, as opposed to a box office bomb.
  3. 3
    Something, especially an event or a film, book or other creative work, that is intended to achieve high sales (perhaps indicated by large budgets or high advertising spending) or that is conceived on a large or epic scale
  4. 4
    Anything very large or powerful; a whopper.
  5. 5
    A large firework of the firecracker type; an M-80.
  6. 6
    One who engages in blockbusting (technique encouraging people to sell property).

Etymology

From block + buster, referring originally to aerial bombs capable of destroying a whole block of buildings.

This word in other languages

bombazo(Español)blockbuster(Français)Luftmine(Deutsch)arrasa-quarteirão(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • bblockbuster
  • blcokbuster
  • bllockbuster
  • blocbkuster
  • blocckbuster
  • blockbbuster
  • blockbsuter
  • blockbusetr
  • blockbusster
  • blockbusterr
  • blockbustre
  • blockbustter
  • blockbutser
  • blockkbuster
  • blockubster
  • blokcbuster
  • bolckbuster
  • lbockbuster

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of blockbuster - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

bblockbuster1blcokbuster2bllockbuster1blocbkuster2blocckbuster1blockbbuster1blockbsuter2blockbusetr2
Edit distance from "blockbuster"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "blockbuster"?
"blockbuster" is spelled B-L-O-C-K-B-U-S-T-E-R. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈblɒkˌbʌs.tə(ɹ)/.
What does "blockbuster" mean?
As a noun, "blockbuster" means: A high-explosive bomb used for the purposes of demolishing extensive areas, such as a city block.
What are common misspellings of "blockbuster"?
Common misspellings include "bblockbuster", "blcokbuster", "bllockbuster", "blocbkuster", "blocckbuster". The correct spelling is "blockbuster".
How do you pronounce "blockbuster"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "blockbuster" is /ˈblɒkˌbʌs.tə(ɹ)/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "blockbuster"?
From block + buster, referring originally to aerial bombs capable of destroying a whole block of buildings. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “blockbuster”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is B-L-O-C-K-B-U-S-T-E-R - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈblɒkˌbʌs.tə(ɹ)/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Same frequency band

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list