# descent

> English word · Noun · IPA /dɪˈsɛnt/ · frequency rank #7,906

## Definitions
1. An instance of descending; act of coming down.
2. A way down.
3. A sloping passage or incline.
4. Lineage or hereditary derivation.
5. A drop to a lower status or condition; decline.
6. A falling upon or invasion.
7. A particular extension of the idea of gluing.

## Etymology
From Middle English and Anglo-Norman descente, from Anglo-Norman descendre (“to descend”); see descend. Compare ascent, ascend. Doublet of desant.

## Easily confused with
- **desert** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/descent-vs-desert)
- **dessert** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/descent-vs-dessert)
- **dissent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/descent-vs-dissent)
- **decent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/decent-vs-descent)
- **deceit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deceit-vs-descent)
- **descend** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/descend-vs-descent)

## Common misspellings (11)
`ddescent`, `decsent`, `desccent`, `descennt`, `descentt`, `descetn`, `descnet`, `desecnt`, `desscent`, `dsecent`, `edscent`

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