# detect

> English word · Verb · IPA /dɪˈtɛkt/ · frequency rank #6,557

## Definitions
1. To discover or find by careful search, examination, or probing.

## Etymology
From Latin detectus, perfect passive participle of detegere (“to uncover or disclose”), from de- + tegere (“to cover”); see tegument, tile, thatch.

## Easily confused with
- **deter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/detect-vs-deter)
- **direct** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/detect-vs-direct)
- **detest** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/detect-vs-detest)
- **detract** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/detect-vs-detract)
- **detected** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/detect-vs-detected)
- **detector** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/detect-vs-detector)
- **defeat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defeat-vs-detect)
- **decent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/decent-vs-detect)
- **desert** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/desert-vs-detect)
- **defect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defect-vs-detect)
- **depict** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/depict-vs-detect)
- **deceit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deceit-vs-detect)
- **deduct** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deduct-vs-detect)
- **detach** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/detach-vs-detect)
- **deflect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/deflect-vs-detect)

## Common misspellings (9)
`ddetect`, `deetct`, `detcet`, `detecct`, `detectt`, `detetc`, `dettect`, `dteect`, `edtect`

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