# crater

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈkɹeɪ.tə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #13,893

## Definitions
1. A hemispherical pit created by the impact of a meteorite or other object.
2. The basin-like opening or mouth of a volcano, through which the chief eruption comes; similarly, the mouth of a geyser, about which a cone of silica is often built up.
3. The pit left by the explosion of a mine or bomb.
4. Any large, roughly circular depression or hole.
5. Alternative spelling of krater (“vessel for mixing water and wine”).

## Etymology
First coined 1613, from Latin crātēr (“basin”), from Ancient Greek κρᾱτήρ (krātḗr, “mixing-bowl, wassail-bowl”).

## Easily confused with
- **crave** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-crave)
- **craze** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-craze)
- **Crete** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-crete)
- **create** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-create)
- **cutter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-cutter)
- **crates** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-crates)
- **craven** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-craven)
- **crazed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-crazed)
- **curate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-curate)
- **craved** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-craved)
- **craves** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-craves)
- **Croker** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-croker)
- **created** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-created)
- **creator** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-creator)
- **curator** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-curator)
- **curated** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-curated)
- **crawler** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-crawler)
- **critter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-critter)
- **creamer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/crater-vs-creamer)
- **cate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cate-vs-crater)

## Common misspellings (8)
`ccrater`, `craetr`, `craterr`, `cratre`, `cratter`, `crrater`, `crtaer`, `rcater`

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