covariance

/kəʊˈvɛː.ɹi.əns/

//kəʊˈvɛː.ɹi.əns// noun

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

"covariance" is a 10-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“covariance” has 15 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #49,266. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#49,266
frequency rank, English
43,570
“C” headwords
15
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A statistical measure defined as scriptstyle operatorname Cov(X,Y)= operatorname E((X-μ)(Y-ν)) given two real-valued random variables X and Y, with expected values scriptstyle E(X),=,μ and scriptst...

Key facts for covariance
PropertyValue
Headwordcovariance
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/kəʊˈvɛː.ɹi.əns/
Letters10
Frequency rank#49,266
Misspellings tracked15
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “covariance” 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). covariance 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 15 spelling variants around covariance (IPA /kəʊˈvɛː.ɹi.əns/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #49,266 among 43,570 “C” headwords. Wiktionary lists 2 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 15 likely wrong-spelling variants for covariance, with forms such as "ccovariance", "coavriance", and "covairance". 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 is not paired with a close-neighbour confusable in our dataset, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.

Etymologically, the entry records: From co- + variance. The correct English form is covariance, spelled C-O-V-A-R-I-A-N-C-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    A statistical measure defined as scriptstyle operatorname Cov(X,Y)= operatorname E((X-μ)(Y-ν)) given two real-valued random variables X and Y, with expected values scriptstyle E(X),=,μ and scriptstyle E(Y),=,ν.
  2. 2
    The conversion of data types from wider to narrower in certain situations.

Etymology

From co- + variance.

This word in other languages

covarianza(Español)covariance(Français)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • ccovariance
  • coavriance
  • covairance
  • covaraince
  • covariacne
  • covariancce
  • covarianec
  • covariannce
  • covarience
  • covarinace
  • covarriance
  • covraiance
  • covvariance
  • cvoariance
  • ocvariance

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

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

ccovariance1coavriance2covairance2covaraince2covariacne2covariancce1covarianec2covariannce1
Edit distance from "covariance"

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 "covariance"?
"covariance" is spelled C-O-V-A-R-I-A-N-C-E. The IPA pronunciation is /kəʊˈvɛː.ɹi.əns/.
What does "covariance" mean?
As a noun, "covariance" means: A statistical measure defined as scriptstyle operatorname Cov(X,Y)= operatorname E((X-μ)(Y-ν)) given two real-valued random variables X and Y, with expected values scriptstyle E(X),=,μ and scriptst...
What are common misspellings of "covariance"?
Common misspellings include "ccovariance", "coavriance", "covairance", "covaraince", "covariacne". The correct spelling is "covariance".
How do you pronounce "covariance"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "covariance" is /kəʊˈvɛː.ɹi.əns/. 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 "covariance"?
From co- + variance. 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 “covariance”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is C-O-V-A-R-I-A-N-C-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /kəʊˈvɛː.ɹi.əns/ (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 FrequencyWords open word-frequency list