# easel

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈiː.z(ə)l/ · frequency rank #42,618

## Definitions
1. An upright frame, typically on three legs, for displaying or supporting something, such as an artist's canvas.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Dutch ezel (“donkey; easel”), from Middle Dutch esel (“donkey”), from Proto-West Germanic *asil, from Latin asellus (“young ass or small donkey”), diminutive of asinus (“ass, donkey”), ultimately from an unknown source in Asia Minor. Essentially, the stand that a painting is placed on is being likened to a donkey carrying a burden; compare horse (“a frame with legs used to support something”), as in clotheshorse and sawhorse.

## Easily confused with
- **eel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-eel)
- **ESL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-esl)
- **ese** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-ese)
- **else** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-else)
- **easy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-easy)
- **east** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-east)
- **esse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-esse)
- **eaten** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-eaten)
- **Essex** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-essex)
- **excel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-excel)
- **erase** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-erase)
- **eater** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-eater)
- **Ethel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-ethel)
- **expel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-expel)
- **eases** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-eases)
- **eaves** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-eaves)
- **Essen** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-essen)
- **easily** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-easily)
- **easier** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-easier)
- **Easter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/easel-vs-easter)

## Common misspellings (6)
`aesel`, `eaesl`, `easell`, `easle`, `eassel`, `esael`

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