broadsword

/ˈbɹɔːd.sɔːd/

//ˈbɹɔːd.sɔːd// noun

"broadsword" is a 10-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“broadsword” is uncommon English (frequency #67,283 among 31,241 “B” headwords), classed as a noun. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

#67,283
frequency rank, English
31,241
“B” headwords

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A type of early modern sword that has a broad double-edged blade for cutting (as opposed to the more slender thrust-oriented rapier) and typically a basket hilt.

Key facts for broadsword
PropertyValue
Headwordbroadsword
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈbɹɔːd.sɔːd/
Letters10
Frequency rank#67,283
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “broadsword” 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). broadsword lands here:

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

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

Rare enough to double-check

broadsword is uncommon English at frequency #67,283 among 31,241 “B” headwords, classed as anoun, transcribed /ˈbɹɔːd.sɔːd/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 4 senses are on record.

No generated misspelling entries exist for broadsword in our index, which points to an orthography that plays by predictable English rules. This entry stands alone in our confusable dataset, which typically means the spelling is too distinctive to be mistaken for another word.

Etymologically, the entry records: From broad + sword. The correct English form is broadsword, spelled B-R-O-A-D-S-W-O-R-D.

Definition

  1. 1
    A type of early modern sword that has a broad double-edged blade for cutting (as opposed to the more slender thrust-oriented rapier) and typically a basket hilt.
  2. 2
    A person armed with such a sword.
  3. 3
    Synonym of longsword.
  4. 4
    A flat, rectangular bread made from corn (maize) and beans by the Cherokee, traditionally by boiling rather than baking it.

Etymology

From broad + sword.

This word in other languages

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 "broadsword"?
"broadsword" is spelled B-R-O-A-D-S-W-O-R-D. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈbɹɔːd.sɔːd/.
What does "broadsword" mean?
As a noun, "broadsword" means: A type of early modern sword that has a broad double-edged blade for cutting (as opposed to the more slender thrust-oriented rapier) and typically a basket hilt.
How do you pronounce "broadsword"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "broadsword" is /ˈbɹɔːd.sɔːd/. 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 "broadsword"?
From broad + sword. 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 “broadsword”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is B-R-O-A-D-S-W-O-R-D - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈbɹɔːd.sɔːd/ (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

Other uncommon English words near this rank

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