# control

> English word · Verb · IPA /kənˈtɹəʊl/ · frequency rank #384

## Definitions
1. To exercise influence over; to suggest or dictate the behavior of.
2. (construed with for) To design (an experiment) so that the effects of one or more variables are reduced or eliminated.
3. To verify the accuracy of (something or someone, especially a financial account) by comparison with another account.
4. To call to account, to take to task, to challenge.
5. To hold in check, to curb, to restrain.

## Etymology
From Middle English controllen, from Old French contrerole, from Medieval Latin contrārotulum (“a counter-roll or register used to verify accounts”), from Latin contrā (“against, opposite”) + Medieval Latin rotulus, Latin rotula (“roll, a little wheel”), diminutive of rota (“a wheel”).
Partly displaced native Old English wealdan and Old English wieldan, whence their merged reflex English wield.

## Easily confused with
- **controls** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/control-vs-controls)
- **Conroy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/conroy-vs-control)
- **central** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/central-vs-control)

## Common misspellings (11)
`ccontrol`, `cnotrol`, `conntrol`, `conrtol`, `contorl`, `contrlo`, `controll`, `contrrol`, `conttrol`, `cotnrol`, `ocntrol`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/control