compare

/kəmˈpɛɚ/

//kəmˈpɛɚ// verb

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

"compare" is a 7-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“compare” is a regularly-used English word, ranked #3,285 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#3,285
frequency rank, English
7
letters
10
tracked misspellings
9
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To assess the similarities and differences between two or more things ["to compare X with Y"]. Having made the comparison of X with Y, one might have found it similar to Y or different from Y.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

compare vs compete
71% similar
compare vs compass
71% similar
compare vs comrade
71% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for compare
PropertyValue
Headwordcompare
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/kəmˈpɛɚ/
Letters7
Frequency rank#3,285
Misspellings tracked10
Confusable pairs9
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “compare” 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). compare lands here:

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

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

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for compare is 7 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /kəmˈpɛɚ/. Corpus data places it at rank #3,285 in overall English word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 5 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 10 likely wrong-spelling variants for compare, with forms such as "ccompare", "cmopare", and "comapre". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. It also participates in 9 confusable-pair relationships, "compete", "compass", "comrade", and more, where similar look or sound leads writers to substitute one word for another in context.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English comparen, from Old French comparer, from Latin comparare (“to prepare, procure”), from compar (“like or equal to another”), from com- + par (“equal”). Displaced native Old English metan (“to compare,” also “to measure”). The correct English form is compare, spelled C-O-M-P-A-R-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    To assess the similarities and differences between two or more things ["to compare X with Y"]. Having made the comparison of X with Y, one might have found it similar to Y or different from Y.
  2. 2
    To declare two things to be similar in some respect ["to compare X to Y"].
  3. 3
    To form the three degrees of comparison of (an adjective).
  4. 4
    To be similar (often used in the negative).
  5. 5
    To get; to obtain.

Etymology

From Middle English comparen, from Old French comparer, from Latin comparare (“to prepare, procure”), from compar (“like or equal to another”), from com- + par (“equal”). Displaced native Old English metan (“to compare,” also “to measure”).

This word in other languages

comparar(Español)comparer(Français)vergleichen(Deutsch)comparar(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: ccompare,cmopare,comapre,commpare,compaer,comparre,comppare,comprae,copmare,ocmpare

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of compare - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

ccompare1cmopare2comapre2commpare1compaer2comparre1comppare1comprae2
Edit distance from "compare"

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 "compare"?
"compare" is spelled C-O-M-P-A-R-E. The IPA pronunciation is /kəmˈpɛɚ/.
What does "compare" mean?
As a verb, "compare" means: To assess the similarities and differences between two or more things ["to compare X with Y"]. Having made the comparison of X with Y, one might have found it similar to Y or different from Y.
What words are commonly confused with "compare"?
"compare" is commonly confused with "compete", "compass", "comrade". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "compare"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "compare" is /kəmˈpɛɚ/. 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 "compare"?
From Middle English comparen, from Old French comparer, from Latin comparare (“to prepare, procure”), from compar (“like or equal to another”), from com- + par (“equal”). Displaced native Old English metan (“to compare,” also “to measure”). 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 “compare”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is C-O-M-P-A-R-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /kəmˈpɛɚ/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “compete” - see the side-by-side comparison. compare vs compete
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
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 FrequencyWords open word-frequency list