# canter

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈkæn.tə/ · frequency rank #40,603

## Definitions
1. A gait of a horse between a trot and a gallop, consisting of three beats and a "suspension" phase, where there are no feet on the ground. Also describing this gait on other four-legged animals.
2. A ride on a horse at such speed.

## Etymology
Short for Canterbury pace, from the supposed easy pace of medieval pilgrims to Canterbury.

## Easily confused with
- **cate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-cate)
- **caste** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-caste)
- **cater** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-cater)
- **conte** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-conte)
- **carte** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-carte)
- **caper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-caper)
- **carer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-carer)
- **canto** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-canto)
- **cates** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-cates)
- **center** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-center)
- **career** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-career)
- **Carter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-carter)
- **cutter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-cutter)
- **cartel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-cartel)
- **canton** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-canton)
- **crater** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-crater)
- **carver** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-carver)
- **Casper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-casper)
- **confer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-confer)
- **castor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canter-vs-castor)

## Common misspellings (9)
`acnter`, `canetr`, `cannter`, `canterr`, `cantre`, `cantter`, `catner`, `ccanter`, `cnater`

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