# catalyst

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈkæt.ɪ.lɪst/ · frequency rank #10,177

## Definitions
1. A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.
2. Something that encourages progress or change.
3. An inciting incident that sets the successive conflict into motion.
4. A catalytic converter.
5. An object that facilitates the casting of a spell (such as a magic wand).

## Etymology
From catalysis + -ist.

## Easily confused with
- **catalysis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/catalysis-vs-catalyst)
- **cataclysm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cataclysm-vs-catalyst)

## Common misspellings (13)
`actalyst`, `caatlyst`, `catallyst`, `catalsyt`, `catalysst`, `catalystt`, `catalyts`, `catalyyst`, `cataylst`, `catlayst`, `cattalyst`, `ccatalyst`, `ctaalyst`

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