centerfold

/ˈsɛntɚfoʊld/

//ˈsɛntɚfoʊld// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

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

The verdict

“centerfold” is uncommon English (frequency #66,546 among 43,570 “C” headwords), classed as a noun. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

#66,546
frequency rank, English
43,570
“C” headwords

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - The single larger sheet of paper that forms the middle two pages of a magazine or other publication, folded so as to open wider than a standard page spread.

Key facts for centerfold
PropertyValue
Headwordcenterfold
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈsɛntɚfoʊld/
Letters10
Frequency rank#66,546
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “centerfold” 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). centerfold 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

centerfold is uncommon English at frequency #66,546 among 43,570 “C” headwords, classed as anoun, transcribed /ˈsɛntɚfoʊld/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 4 senses are on record.

No misspelling variants are generated for centerfold in our index, a sign its spelling follows regular English conventions. Our dataset records no confusable match here, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.

Etymologically, the entry records: From center + fold. The correct English form is centerfold, spelled C-E-N-T-E-R-F-O-L-D.

Definition

  1. 1
    The single larger sheet of paper that forms the middle two pages of a magazine or other publication, folded so as to open wider than a standard page spread.
  2. 2
    A large photograph printed on this sheet, typically in the form of a nude, or provocatively dressed, sexually attractive woman or man.
  3. 3
    The person appearing in such a photograph.
  4. 4
    Any very sexually attractive person, who is therefore material for such a photograph.

Etymology

From center + fold.

This word in other languages

pin-up(Français)

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 "centerfold"?
"centerfold" is spelled C-E-N-T-E-R-F-O-L-D. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈsɛntɚfoʊld/.
What does "centerfold" mean?
As a noun, "centerfold" means: The single larger sheet of paper that forms the middle two pages of a magazine or other publication, folded so as to open wider than a standard page spread.
How do you pronounce "centerfold"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "centerfold" is /ˈsɛntɚfoʊld/. 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 "centerfold"?
From center + fold. 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 “centerfold”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is C-E-N-T-E-R-F-O-L-D - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈsɛntɚfoʊld/ (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