# cello

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈtʃɛləʊ/ · frequency rank #19,779

## Definitions
1. A large unfretted stringed instrument of the violin family with four strings tuned (lowest to highest) C-G-D-A and an endpin to support its weight, usually played with a bow.

## Etymology
Clipping of violoncello, the original name, from Italian violoncello (“little violone”), from violone (“an early form of the double bass”) + -cello (“-elle”, forming diminutives), violone (“big viola”) itself being derived from viola + -one (“-oon”, forming augmentatives).

## Easily confused with
- **CEO** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cello-vs-ceo)
- **Clo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cello-vs-clo)
- **colo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cello-vs-colo)
- **Cleo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cello-vs-cleo)
- **coll** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cello-vs-coll)
- **cull** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cello-vs-cull)
- **Clio** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cello-vs-clio)
- **cells** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cello-vs-cells)
- **Cerro** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cello-vs-cerro)
- **CELTA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cello-vs-celta)
- **Ceylon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cello-vs-ceylon)
- **Coelho** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cello-vs-coelho)
- **cel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cel-vs-cello)
- **call** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/call-vs-cello)
- **cell** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cell-vs-cello)
- **calls** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/calls-vs-cello)
- **Carlo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/carlo-vs-cello)
- **Celia** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/celia-vs-cello)
- **celeb** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/celeb-vs-cello)
- **Cally** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cally-vs-cello)

## Common misspellings (5)
`ccello`, `celo`, `celol`, `clelo`, `ecllo`

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