counterbalance

/ˌkaʊntəˈbæləns/

//ˌkaʊntəˈbæləns// noun

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

"counterbalance" is a 14-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“counterbalance” has 22 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #39,758. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#39,758
frequency rank, English
43,570
“C” headwords
22
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A weight that is put in opposition to an equal weight so it keeps that in balance.

Key facts for counterbalance
PropertyValue
Headwordcounterbalance
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˌkaʊntəˈbæləns/
Letters14
Frequency rank#39,758
Misspellings tracked22
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “counterbalance” 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). counterbalance 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 22 spelling variants around counterbalance (IPA /ˌkaʊntəˈbæləns/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #39,758 among 43,570 “C” headwords. Wiktionary lists 2 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 22 likely wrong-spelling variants for counterbalance, with forms such as "ccounterbalance", "conuterbalance", and "counetrbalance". 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. This entry stands alone in our confusable dataset, since its spelling is unusual enough that it doesn't cluster with a lookalike.

Etymologically, the entry records: From counter- + balance. The correct English form is counterbalance, spelled C-O-U-N-T-E-R-B-A-L-A-N-C-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    A weight that is put in opposition to an equal weight so it keeps that in balance.
  2. 2
    A force or influence that balances, checks or limits an opposite one.

Etymology

From counter- + balance.

Synonyms

counterpoisecounterweighequipoise

This word in other languages

contrabalanza(Español)contrepoids(Français)Gegengewicht(Deutsch)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • ccounterbalance
  • conuterbalance
  • counetrbalance
  • counnterbalance
  • countebralance
  • counterablance
  • counterbaalnce
  • counterbalacne
  • counterbalancce
  • counterbalanec
  • counterbalannce
  • counterbalence
  • counterballance
  • counterbalnace
  • counterbbalance
  • counterblaance
  • counterrbalance
  • countrebalance
  • countterbalance
  • coutnerbalance
  • cuonterbalance
  • ocunterbalance

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of counterbalance - counted as single-character edits (an insertion, a deletion, or a substituted letter). The larger the bar, the easier the typo is to spot; one-edit slips are the ones that sneak past readers.

ccounterbalance1conuterbalance2counetrbalance2counnterbalance1countebralance2counterablance2counterbaalnce2counterbalacne2
Edit distance from "counterbalance"

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 "counterbalance"?
"counterbalance" is spelled C-O-U-N-T-E-R-B-A-L-A-N-C-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ˌkaʊntəˈbæləns/.
What does "counterbalance" mean?
As a noun, "counterbalance" means: A weight that is put in opposition to an equal weight so it keeps that in balance.
What are common misspellings of "counterbalance"?
Common misspellings include "ccounterbalance", "conuterbalance", "counetrbalance", "counnterbalance", "countebralance". The correct spelling is "counterbalance".
How do you pronounce "counterbalance"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "counterbalance" is /ˌkaʊntəˈbæləns/. 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 "counterbalance"?
From counter- + balance. 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 “counterbalance”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is C-O-U-N-T-E-R-B-A-L-A-N-C-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˌkaʊntəˈbæləns/ (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