# DNA

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌdiːɛnˈeɪ/ · frequency rank #3,053

## Definitions
1. Initialism of deoxyribonucleic acid (“a nucleic acid found in all living things (and some non-living things such as certain viruses) which consists of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix; encoded in its structure are genetic instructions for development, functioning, growth, and reproduction”).
2. The part of a living thing that carries genetic information.
3. The fundamental nature or values of a person, or an organization or other thing, especially when considered as innate or immutable.

## Etymology
The noun is an initialism of deoxyribonucleic acid. The verb is derived from the noun.

## Easily confused with
- **do** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-do)
- **Dr** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-dr)
- **DS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-ds)
- **DT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-dt)
- **DP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-dp)
- **dw** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-dw)
- **Dx** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-dx)
- **DV** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-dv)
- **dy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-dy)
- **DQ** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-dq)
- **due** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-due)
- **dog** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-dog)
- **dry** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-dry)
- **don** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-don)
- **doc** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-doc)
- **DVD** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-dvd)
- **duo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-duo)
- **dot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-dot)
- **dug** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-dug)
- **doe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dna-vs-doe)

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