# decibel

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈdɛsɪbɛl/ · frequency rank #49,863

## Definitions
1. A common measure of intensity ratio (e.g. for sound) that is one tenth of a bel on the logarithmic intensity scale. It is defined as dB = 10 log₁₀(P₁ / P₂), where P₁ and P₂ are the relative intensities.

## Etymology
From deci- + bel.

## Easily confused with
- **decide** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/decibel-vs-decide)
- **decided** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/decibel-vs-decided)
- **decides** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/decibel-vs-decides)
- **decimal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/decibel-vs-decimal)
- **decider** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/decibel-vs-decider)

## Common misspellings (10)
`dceibel`, `ddecibel`, `decbiel`, `deccibel`, `decibbel`, `decibell`, `decible`, `deciebl`, `deicbel`, `edcibel`

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