# brainwash

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈbɹeɪnwɒʃ/ · frequency rank #43,543

## Definitions
1. A distorting effect upon one's memory, belief, or ideas, as by propaganda.

## Etymology
From brain + wash, a calque of Chinese 洗腦 /洗脑 (xǐnǎo), literally to wash the brain. Usage via U.S. military during the Korean War.

## Common misspellings (14)
`barinwash`, `bbrainwash`, `brainawsh`, `brainnwash`, `brainwahs`, `brainwashh`, `brainwassh`, `brainwsah`, `brainwwash`, `braiwnash`, `braniwash`, `brianwash`, `brrainwash`, `rbainwash`

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