complicit

/kəmˈplɪs.ɪt/

//kəmˈplɪs.ɪt// adj

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

The verdict

“complicit” has 14 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #22,623. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#22,623
frequency rank, English
5,599
“C” headwords
14
tracked misspellings
3
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - Associated with or participating in an activity, especially one of a questionable nature.

Corpus desk

Index EN-complicit · complicit · English

complicit · rank #22,623 · 14 variants · 3 confusables

  • FREQ-MID #22,623
  • LEN-LONG 9 letters
  • VOW-3 3 vowels
  • CONFUS-LOW 3 pairs
  • VAR-HIGH 14 variants
  • BOOK-DENSE 5,599
  • PHOTO-FINISH complacent

Nearest frequency peer: complacent (-1 rank slots)

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Rank peers near misspelling magnet “complicit”

Same rarity band: useful when a typo lands on a peer headword

corpus weight

What this shows “complicit” sits among these FrequencyWords peers; misspelling depth is tracked separately in the edit-distance chart.

Source FrequencyWords open word-frequency list As of September 3, 2026

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

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

complicit vs complicity
90% similar
complicit vs compliant
78% similar
complicit vs complicate
80% similar

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

Key facts for complicit
PropertyValue
Headwordcomplicit
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechAdjective
IPA/kəmˈplɪs.ɪt/
Letters9
Frequency rank#22,623
Misspellings tracked14
Confusable pairs3
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Frequency seat of misspelling magnet “complicit”

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right).complicitlands here:

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

The axis is logarithmic, with each marked tick roughly ten times rarer than the last. Same rarity band neighbours include “complacent” (#22,622), “companionship” (#22,621), “confer” (#22,625). Among 5,599 “C” headwords, “complicit” is #22,623. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 14 spelling variants around complicit (IPA /kəmˈplɪs.ɪt/), anadjective. Corpus frequency is #22,623 among 5,599 “C” headwords. Dominant gloss: "Associated with or participating in an activity, especially one of a questionable nature.".

Our generated misspelling index lists 14 likely wrong-spelling variants for complicit, with forms such as "ccomplicit", "cmoplicit", and "comlpicit". 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. It also participates in 3 confusable-pair relationships, "complicity", "compliant", "complicate", since the words sound or look close enough that writers reach for the wrong one mid-sentence.

Etymologically, the entry records: Most likely a back-formation from complicity, under the influence of words such as explicit, as though the suffix -ity were composed of -it (from Latin -itus) and -y. The correct English form is complicit, spelled C-O-M-P-L-I-C-I-T.

Definition

  1. 1
    Associated with or participating in an activity, especially one of a questionable nature.

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how complicit appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. It [slavery] has set the seal of a complicit, guilty silence upon the most orthodox pulpits and the saintliest tongues, […]
  2. "I confess," and the Englishman turned with a near complicit grin to Hamo, "I have certain vulgar tastes myself."

Etymology

Most likely a back-formation from complicity, under the influence of words such as explicit, as though the suffix -ity were composed of -it (from Latin -itus) and -y.

Synonyms

This word in other languages

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • ccomplicit
  • cmoplicit
  • comlpicit
  • commplicit
  • compilcit
  • complciit
  • compliccit
  • complicitt
  • complicti
  • compliict
  • compllicit
  • compplicit
  • copmlicit
  • ocmplicit

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of complicit - 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.

ccomplicit1cmoplicit2comlpicit2commplicit1compilcit2complciit2compliccit1complicitt1
Edit distance from "complicit"

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 "complicit"?
"complicit" is spelled C-O-M-P-L-I-C-I-T. The IPA pronunciation is /kəmˈplɪs.ɪt/.
What does "complicit" mean?
As an adjective, "complicit" means: Associated with or participating in an activity, especially one of a questionable nature.
What words are commonly confused with "complicit"?
"complicit" is commonly confused with "complicity", "compliant", "complicate". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "complicit"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "complicit" is /kəmˈplɪs.ɪt/. 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 "complicit"?
Most likely a back-formation from complicity, under the influence of words such as explicit, as though the suffix -ity were composed of -it (from Latin -itus) and -y. 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.

Similar English words by spelling shape

Same letter count and similar misspelling depth for "complicit", not the corpus desk frequency band.

Same letter count

Frequency-ranked English headwords with 9 letters (nearest by frequency rank).

Similar misspelling depth

Headwords with a similar count of attested misspellings (14 here; floor ≥5).

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list