# drill

> English word · Verb · IPA /dɹɪl/ · frequency rank #6,132

## Definitions
1. To create (a hole) by removing material with a drill (tool).
2. To practice, especially in (or as in) a military context.
3. To cause to drill (practice); to train in military arts.
4. To repeat an idea frequently in order to encourage someone to remember it.
5. To investigate or examine something in more detail or at a different level
6. To throw, run, hit or kick with a lot of power.
7. To hit someone with a pitch, especially in an intentional context.
8. To have sexual intercourse with; to penetrate.
9. To shoot; to kill by shooting.

## Etymology
From Middle Dutch drillen (“bore, move in a circle”).

## Easily confused with
- **dull** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/drill-vs-dull)
- **drip** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/drill-vs-drip)
- **drive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/drill-vs-drive)
- **drink** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/drill-vs-drink)
- **dwell** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/drill-vs-dwell)
- **drool** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/drill-vs-drool)
- **droll** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/drill-vs-droll)
- **drills** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/drill-vs-drills)
- **drivel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/drill-vs-drivel)
- **drilled** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/drill-vs-drilled)
- **DRI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dri-vs-drill)
- **doll** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/doll-vs-drill)
- **dial** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dial-vs-drill)
- **dell** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dell-vs-drill)
- **dill** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dill-vs-drill)
- **daily** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/daily-vs-drill)
- **dried** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dried-vs-drill)
- **drift** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/drift-vs-drill)
- **drier** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/drier-vs-drill)
- **dilly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/dilly-vs-drill)

## Common misspellings (6)
`ddrill`, `dirll`, `dril`, `drlil`, `drrill`, `rdill`

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