# bonsai

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈbɑnsaɪ/ · frequency rank #37,347

## Definitions
1. A tree or plant that has been miniaturized by planting it in a small pot, restricting its roots, and by careful pruning.
2. The art of planting and growing trees or plants in such a manner.

## Etymology
From Japanese 盆栽 (bonsai), from Middle Chinese 盆 (MC bwon, “bowl”) + 栽 (MC tsoj|dzojH, “to plant”).

## Easily confused with
- **bona** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bona-vs-bonsai)
- **Bondi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bondi-vs-bonsai)
- **bonham** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bonham-vs-bonsai)

## Common misspellings (6)
`bbonsai`, `bnosai`, `bonasi`, `bonnsai`, `bonssai`, `obnsai`

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