embattled

/ɛmˈbætl̩d/

//ɛmˈbætl̩d// adj

"embattled" is a 9-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“embattled” is a moderately-common English word, ranked #37,905 in English word frequency and used as an adjective.

#37,905
frequency rank, English
9
letters
12
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - Armed or prepared for battle (literally or figuratively).

Key facts for embattled
PropertyValue
Headwordembattled
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechAdjective
IPA/ɛmˈbætl̩d/
Letters9
Frequency rank#37,905
Misspellings tracked12
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “embattled” 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). embattled 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 embattled is 9 letters long, classified as an adjective, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ɛmˈbætl̩d/. Corpus data places it at rank #37,905 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 4 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 12 likely wrong-spelling variants for embattled, with forms such as "ebmattled", "emabttled", and "embatled". Every one of these variants traces to a single-character edit -- an added or dropped letter, a swapped consonant, or a vowel swap -- the kind of slip a spell-checker is built to catch. No confusable counterpart is on file for this word, a sign it's visually distinctive enough not to be mixed up with another word.

Etymologically, the entry records: From embattle (“to equip as for battle”) + -ed. The correct English form is embattled, spelled E-M-B-A-T-T-L-E-D.

Definition

  1. 1
    Armed or prepared for battle (literally or figuratively).
  2. 2
    Of a place: occupied or surrounded by armed troops (also figuratively).
  3. 3
    Of a place: strengthened so as to withstand attacks; fortified.
  4. 4
    Subject to or troubled by attacks, controversy, or pressure.

Etymology

From embattle (“to equip as for battle”) + -ed.

This word in other languages

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: ebmattled,emabttled,embatled,embatlted,embatteld,embattlde,embattledd,embattlled,embbattled,embtatled,emmbattled,mebattled

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of embattled - 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.

ebmattled2emabttled2embatled1embatlted2embatteld2embattlde2embattledd1embattlled1
Edit distance from "embattled"

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 "embattled"?
"embattled" is spelled E-M-B-A-T-T-L-E-D. The IPA pronunciation is /ɛmˈbætl̩d/.
What does "embattled" mean?
As an adjective, "embattled" means: Armed or prepared for battle (literally or figuratively).
What are common misspellings of "embattled"?
Common misspellings include "ebmattled", "emabttled", "embatled", "embatlted", "embatteld". The correct spelling is "embattled".
How do you pronounce "embattled"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "embattled" is /ɛmˈbætl̩d/. 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 "embattled"?
From embattle (“to equip as for battle”) + -ed. 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 “embattled”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is E-M-B-A-T-T-L-E-D - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ɛmˈbætl̩d/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • 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