embalm
/ɪmˈbɑːm/
"embalm" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.
The verdict
“embalm” is uncommon English (outside the top frequency list), classed as a verb. The kind of spelling people second-guess.
- Unranked
- below top-frequency English
- 6
- letters
According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - To treat a corpse with preservatives in order to prevent decomposition.
Corpus desk
Index EN-embalm · embalm · English
embalm · unranked · 0 variants · 0 confusables
- FREQ-UNRANKED Unranked
- LEN-LONG 6 letters
- VOW-2 2 vowels
- CONFUS-0 No pairs
- VAR-0 0 variants
- BOOK-THIN "E" 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.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Headword | embalm |
| Language | English |
| Part of speech | Verb |
| IPA | /ɪmˈbɑːm/ |
| Letters | 6 |
| Misspellings tracked | 0 |
| Confusable pairs | 0 |
| Source | Wiktionary (kaikki.org) |
Long-tail rank of “embalm” in English
Rare enough to double-check
embalm is uncommon English outside the top frequency list, classed as averb, transcribed /ɪmˈbɑːm/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 3 senses are on record.
embalm has no tracked misspelling variants, suggesting the orthography follows predictable English patterns. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, a sign it's visually distinctive enough not to be mixed up with another word.
Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English enbawmen, from Middle French embaumer, from Old French embasmer. See balm. The correct English form is embalm, spelled E-M-B-A-L-M.
Definition
- 1To treat a corpse with preservatives in order to prevent decomposition.
- 2To preserve.
- 3To perfume or add fragrance to something.
Recorded use
Wiktionary examplesThese source excerpts show how embalm appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.
And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father.
`Yea. The people of Kôr ever embalmed their dead, as did the Egyptians, but their art was greater than the art of the Egyptians, for, whereas the Egyptians disembowelled and drew the brain, the people of Kôr injected fluid into the veins, and thus reached every part.'
Etymology
From Middle English enbawmen, from Middle French embaumer, from Old French embasmer. See balm.
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.