clockwork

/ˈklɑkwɝk/

//ˈklɑkwɝk// noun

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

"clockwork" is a 9-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“clockwork” has 15 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #22,326. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#22,326
frequency rank, English
43,570
“C” headwords
15
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A mechanism powered by a coiled spring and regulated by some form of escapement; the power is transmitted through toothed gearwheels and used to drive a mechanical clock, toy, or other device.

Key facts for clockwork
PropertyValue
Headwordclockwork
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈklɑkwɝk/
Letters9
Frequency rank#22,326
Misspellings tracked15
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “clockwork” 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). clockwork lands here:

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

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

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 15 spelling variants around clockwork (IPA /ˈklɑkwɝk/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #22,326 among 43,570 “C” headwords. Wiktionary lists 2 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 15 likely wrong-spelling variants for clockwork, with forms such as "cclockwork", "clcokwork", and "cllockwork". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. We don't track a confusable pairing for this entry, since no other headword is close enough in sound or shape to pair with it.

Etymologically, the entry records: From clock + -work. The correct English form is clockwork, spelled C-L-O-C-K-W-O-R-K.

Definition

  1. 1
    A mechanism powered by a coiled spring and regulated by some form of escapement; the power is transmitted through toothed gearwheels and used to drive a mechanical clock, toy, or other device.
  2. 2
    The action of behaving mechanically in the manner of a clock.

Etymology

From clock + -work.

This word in other languages

cuerda(Español)rouage(Français)Uhrwerk(Deutsch)corda(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • cclockwork
  • clcokwork
  • cllockwork
  • clocckwork
  • clockkwork
  • clockowrk
  • clockwokr
  • clockworkk
  • clockworrk
  • clockwrok
  • clockwwork
  • clocwkork
  • clokcwork
  • colckwork
  • lcockwork

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of clockwork - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

cclockwork1clcokwork2cllockwork1clocckwork1clockkwork1clockowrk2clockwokr2clockworkk1
Edit distance from "clockwork"

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 "clockwork"?
"clockwork" is spelled C-L-O-C-K-W-O-R-K. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈklɑkwɝk/.
What does "clockwork" mean?
As a noun, "clockwork" means: A mechanism powered by a coiled spring and regulated by some form of escapement; the power is transmitted through toothed gearwheels and used to drive a mechanical clock, toy, or other device.
What are common misspellings of "clockwork"?
Common misspellings include "cclockwork", "clcokwork", "cllockwork", "clocckwork", "clockkwork". The correct spelling is "clockwork".
How do you pronounce "clockwork"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "clockwork" is /ˈklɑkwɝk/. 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 "clockwork"?
From clock + -work. 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 “clockwork”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is C-L-O-C-K-W-O-R-K - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈklɑkwɝk/ (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

Same frequency band

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