# debug

> English word · Verb · IPA /diːˈbʌɡ/ · frequency rank #34,458

## Definitions
1. To search for and eliminate malfunctioning elements or errors in something, especially a computer program or machinery.
2. To remove a hidden electronic surveillance device from (somewhere).
3. To remove insects from (somewhere), especially lice.

## Etymology
From de- + bug.

## Easily confused with
- **dug** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/debug-vs-dug)
- **drug** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/debug-vs-drug)
- **Doug** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/debug-vs-doug)
- **Deng** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/debug-vs-deng)
- **debut** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/debug-vs-debut)
- **debuts** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/debug-vs-debuts)
- **deluge** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/debug-vs-deluge)
- **debunk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/debug-vs-debunk)
- **deb** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deb-vs-debug)
- **debt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/debt-vs-debug)
- **debs** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/debs-vs-debug)
- **debts** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/debts-vs-debug)
- **debit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/debit-vs-debug)
- **Debra** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/debra-vs-debug)
- **Debby** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/debby-vs-debug)

## Common misspellings (7)
`dbeug`, `ddebug`, `debbug`, `debgu`, `debugg`, `deubg`, `edbug`

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