compass

/ˈkʌmpəs/

//ˈkʌmpəs// noun

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

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

The verdict

“compass” is a moderately-common English word, ranked #10,517 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#10,517
frequency rank, English
7
letters
9
tracked misspellings
7
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions (usually magnetic or true north).

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

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

compass vs compose
71% similar
compass vs compost
71% similar
compass vs compels
71% similar

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

Key facts for compass
PropertyValue
Headwordcompass
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈkʌmpəs/
Letters7
Frequency rank#10,517
Misspellings tracked9
Confusable pairs7
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “compass” 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). compass 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 compass is 7 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈkʌmpəs/. Corpus data places it at rank #10,517 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 10 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 9 likely wrong-spelling variants for compass, with forms such as "ccompass", "cmopass", and "comapss". Every one of these variants traces to a single-character edit -- an added or dropped letter, a swapped consonant, or a vowel swap -- the kind of slip a spell-checker is built to catch. It also participates in 7 confusable-pair relationships, "compose", "compost", "compels", and more, a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English compas (“a circle, circuit, limit, form, a mathematical instrument”), from Old French compas, from Medieval Latin compassus (“a circle, a circuit”), from Latin com- (“together”) + passus (“a pace, step, later a pass, way, route”); see pa… The correct English form is compass, spelled C-O-M-P-A-S-S.

Definition

  1. 1
    A magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions (usually magnetic or true north).
  2. 2
    A pair of compasses (a device used to draw circular arcs and transfer length measurements).
  3. 3
    The range of notes of a musical instrument or voice.
  4. 4
    A space within limits; an area.
  5. 5
    An enclosing limit; a boundary, a circumference.
  6. 6
    Moderate bounds, limits of truth; moderation; due limits; used with within.
  7. 7
    Synonym of scope.
  8. 8
    Range, reach.
  9. 9
    A passing round; circuit; circuitous course.
  10. 10
    A curved circular form.

Etymology

From Middle English compas (“a circle, circuit, limit, form, a mathematical instrument”), from Old French compas, from Medieval Latin compassus (“a circle, a circuit”), from Latin com- (“together”) + passus (“a pace, step, later a pass, way, route”); see pass, pace.

Synonyms

magnetic compasspair of compasses

This word in other languages

brújula(Español)boussole(Français)Kompass(Deutsch)bússola(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: ccompass,cmopass,comapss,commpass,compas,comppass,compsas,copmass,ocmpass

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

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

ccompass1cmopass2comapss2commpass1compas1comppass1compsas2copmass2
Edit distance from "compass"

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 "compass"?
"compass" is spelled C-O-M-P-A-S-S. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈkʌmpəs/.
What does "compass" mean?
As a noun, "compass" means: A magnetic or electronic device used to determine the cardinal directions (usually magnetic or true north).
What words are commonly confused with "compass"?
"compass" is commonly confused with "compose", "compost", "compels". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "compass"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "compass" is /ˈkʌmpəs/. 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 "compass"?
From Middle English compas (“a circle, circuit, limit, form, a mathematical instrument”), from Old French compas, from Medieval Latin compassus (“a circle, a circuit”), from Latin com- (“together”) + passus (“a pace, step, later a pass, way, route... 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 “compass”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is C-O-M-P-A-S-S - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈkʌmpəs/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “compose” - see the side-by-side comparison. compass vs compose
  • 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