distribute

/dɪˈstɹɪbjuːt/

//dɪˈstɹɪbjuːt// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

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

The verdict

“distribute” is a regularly-used English word, ranked #9,736 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#9,736
frequency rank, English
10
letters
15
tracked misspellings
3
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To divide into portions and dispense.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

distribute vs distributed
91% similar
distribute vs distributor
82% similar
distribute vs distributive
83% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for distribute
PropertyValue
Headworddistribute
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/dɪˈstɹɪbjuːt/
Letters10
Frequency rank#9,736
Misspellings tracked15
Confusable pairs3
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “distribute” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). distribute lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for distribute is 10 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /dɪˈstɹɪbjuːt/. Corpus data places it at rank #9,736 in overall English word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 11 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 15 likely wrong-spelling variants for distribute, with forms such as "ddistribute", "disrtibute", and "disstribute". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 3 confusable-pair relationships, "distributed", "distributor", "distributive", a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

Etymologically, the entry records: PIE word *tréyes From Latin distributus, past participle of distribuere (“to divide, distribute”), from dis- (“apart”) + tribuere (“to give, impart”); see tribute. The correct English form is distribute, spelled D-I-S-T-R-I-B-U-T-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    To divide into portions and dispense.
  2. 2
    To supply to retail outlets.
  3. 3
    To deliver or pass out.
  4. 4
    To scatter or spread.
  5. 5
    To apportion (more or less evenly).
  6. 6
    To classify or separate into categories.
  7. 7
    To be distributive.
  8. 8
    To separate (type which has been used) and return it to the proper boxes in the cases.
  9. 9
    To spread (ink) evenly, as upon a roller or a table.
  10. 10
    To employ (a term) in its whole extent; to take as universal in one premise.
  11. 11
    To have employees working remotely from multiple locations.

Etymology

PIE word *tréyes From Latin distributus, past participle of distribuere (“to divide, distribute”), from dis- (“apart”) + tribuere (“to give, impart”); see tribute.

Synonyms

allotdispendparcel outcourierdispersesparblestrewdispersecategorizesortclassifyadministerallocateapportiondealdeal outdispartdispensedistributedividedole outissuegive outmete outpiecemealportion outshareshare outsunder out

Antonyms

amassconcentrateconsolidategatherreassemble

This word in other languages

distribuir(Español)distribuer(Français)aufteilen(Deutsch)distribuir(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: ddistribute,disrtibute,disstribute,distirbute,distrbiute,distribbute,distribtue,distribuet,distributte,distriubte,distrribute,disttribute,ditsribute,dsitribute,idstribute

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of distribute - counted as single-character edits (an insertion, a deletion, or a substituted letter). The larger the bar, the easier the typo is to spot; one-edit slips are the ones that sneak past readers.

ddistribute1disrtibute2disstribute1distirbute2distrbiute2distribbute1distribtue2distribuet2
Edit distance from "distribute"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "distribute"?
"distribute" is spelled D-I-S-T-R-I-B-U-T-E. The IPA pronunciation is /dɪˈstɹɪbjuːt/.
What does "distribute" mean?
As a verb, "distribute" means: To divide into portions and dispense.
What words are commonly confused with "distribute"?
"distribute" is commonly confused with "distributed", "distributor", "distributive". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "distribute"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "distribute" is /dɪˈstɹɪbjuːt/. 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 "distribute"?
PIE word *tréyes From Latin distributus, past participle of distribuere (“to divide, distribute”), from dis- (“apart”) + tribuere (“to give, impart”); see tribute. 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.

Using “distribute”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is D-I-S-T-R-I-B-U-T-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /dɪˈstɹɪbjuːt/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “distributed” - see the side-by-side comparison. distribute vs distributed
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
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 FrequencyWords open word-frequency list