disconcert

/ˌdɪskənˈsɜːt/

//ˌdɪskənˈsɜːt// verb

"disconcert" is a 10-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“disconcert” is uncommon English (outside the top frequency list), classed as a verb. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

Unranked
below top-frequency English
10
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To upset the composure of; to startle.

Corpus desk

Index EN-disconcert · disconcert · English

disconcert · unranked · 0 variants · 0 confusables

  • FREQ-UNRANKED Unranked
  • LEN-MEGA 10 letters
  • VOW-3 3 vowels
  • CONFUS-0 No pairs
  • VAR-0 0 variants
  • BOOK-THIN "D" thin
  • PHOTO-UNK Peer pending

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Key facts for disconcert
PropertyValue
Headworddisconcert
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ˌdɪskənˈsɜːt/
Letters10
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “disconcert” sits in English frequency

disconcert falls outside the top-100,000 ranked English words, the long-tail zone of technical, archaic, or low-frequency vocabulary, exactly where readers second-guess spellings most.

Beyond rank #100,000. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

disconcert is uncommon English outside the top frequency list, classed as averb, transcribed /ˌdɪskənˈsɜːt/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 3 senses are on record.

No misspelling variants are generated for disconcert in our index, a sign its spelling follows regular English conventions. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, since no other headword is close enough in sound or shape to pair with it.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle French desconcerter, from des- (“dis-”) + concerter (“to bring into agreement, organize”). The correct English form is disconcert, spelled D-I-S-C-O-N-C-E-R-T.

Definition

  1. 1
    To upset the composure of; to startle.
  2. 2
    To bring into confusion.
  3. 3
    To frustrate, discomfit.

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how disconcert appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. The embrace disconcerted the daughter-in-law somewhat, as the caresses of old gentlemen unshorn and perfumed with tobacco might well do.
  2. The emperor disconcerted the plans of his enemy.

Etymology

From Middle French desconcerter, from des- (“dis-”) + concerter (“to bring into agreement, organize”).

This word in other languages

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

PlainSpell is rendered directly from structured Wiktionary extracts and open word-frequency lists, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 6, 2026. Primary sources: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) and FrequencyWords.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "disconcert"?
"disconcert" is spelled D-I-S-C-O-N-C-E-R-T. The IPA pronunciation is /ˌdɪskənˈsɜːt/.
What does "disconcert" mean?
As a verb, "disconcert" means: To upset the composure of; to startle.
How do you pronounce "disconcert"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "disconcert" is /ˌdɪskənˈsɜːt/. 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 "disconcert"?
From Middle French desconcerter, from des- (“dis-”) + concerter (“to bring into agreement, organize”). 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.
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