crossword

/ˈkɹɒswɜː(ɹ)d/

//ˈkɹɒswɜː(ɹ)d// noun

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

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

The verdict

“crossword” has 13 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #24,131. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#24,131
frequency rank, English
43,570
“C” headwords
13
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A word puzzle in which interlocking words are entered usually horizontally and vertically into a grid based on clues given for each word.

Key facts for crossword
PropertyValue
Headwordcrossword
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈkɹɒswɜː(ɹ)d/
Letters9
Frequency rank#24,131
Misspellings tracked13
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “crossword” 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). crossword 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 13 spelling variants around crossword (IPA /ˈkɹɒswɜː(ɹ)d/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #24,131 among 43,570 “C” headwords. Wiktionary lists 4 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 13 likely wrong-spelling variants for crossword, with forms such as "ccrossword", "corssword", and "crossowrd". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. Our dataset records no confusable match here, since its spelling is unusual enough that it doesn't cluster with a lookalike.

Etymologically, the entry records: From cross + word. Various word puzzles referred to as "crosswords" date back to the 1860s. The modern crossword puzzle was invented in 1913 by Arthur Wynne, who coined the name word-cross – crossword first appeared a few weeks later as a typographical erro… The correct English form is crossword, spelled C-R-O-S-S-W-O-R-D.

Definition

  1. 1
    A word puzzle in which interlocking words are entered usually horizontally and vertically into a grid based on clues given for each word.
  2. 2
    The grid of such a puzzle.
  3. 3
    The words in an acrostic puzzle from which the letters are to be taken.
  4. 4
    A crossword enigma poem.

Etymology

From cross + word. Various word puzzles referred to as "crosswords" date back to the 1860s. The modern crossword puzzle was invented in 1913 by Arthur Wynne, who coined the name word-cross – crossword first appeared a few weeks later as a typographical error or deliberate transposition.

Synonyms

crossword puzzle

This word in other languages

crucigrama(Español)mots croisés(Français)Kreuzworträtsel(Deutsch)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • ccrossword
  • corssword
  • crossowrd
  • crosswodr
  • crosswordd
  • crossworrd
  • crosswrod
  • crosswword
  • crosword
  • croswsord
  • crrossword
  • crsosword
  • rcossword

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

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

ccrossword1corssword2crossowrd2crosswodr2crosswordd1crossworrd1crosswrod2crosswword1
Edit distance from "crossword"

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 "crossword"?
"crossword" is spelled C-R-O-S-S-W-O-R-D. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈkɹɒswɜː(ɹ)d/.
What does "crossword" mean?
As a noun, "crossword" means: A word puzzle in which interlocking words are entered usually horizontally and vertically into a grid based on clues given for each word.
What are common misspellings of "crossword"?
Common misspellings include "ccrossword", "corssword", "crossowrd", "crosswodr", "crosswordd". The correct spelling is "crossword".
How do you pronounce "crossword"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "crossword" is /ˈkɹɒswɜː(ɹ)d/. 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 "crossword"?
From cross + word. Various word puzzles referred to as "crosswords" date back to the 1860s. The modern crossword puzzle was invented in 1913 by Arthur Wynne, who coined the name word-cross – crossword first appeared a few weeks later as a typograp... 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 “crossword”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is C-R-O-S-S-W-O-R-D - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈkɹɒswɜː(ɹ)d/ (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