ensconce
/ɛnˈskɒns/
"ensconce" is a 8-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.
The verdict
“ensconce” is uncommon English (outside the top frequency list), classed as a verb. The kind of spelling people second-guess.
- Unranked
- below top-frequency English
- 8
- letters
According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - To place in a secure environment.
Corpus desk
Index EN-ensconce · ensconce · English
ensconce · unranked · 0 variants · 0 confusables
- FREQ-UNRANKED Unranked
- LEN-LONG 8 letters
- VOW-3 3 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 | ensconce |
| Language | English |
| Part of speech | Verb |
| IPA | /ɛnˈskɒns/ |
| Letters | 8 |
| Misspellings tracked | 0 |
| Confusable pairs | 0 |
| Source | Wiktionary (kaikki.org) |
Long-tail rank of “ensconce” in English
Rare enough to double-check
ensconce is uncommon English outside the top frequency list, classed as averb, transcribed /ɛnˈskɒns/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 2 senses are on record.
Zero misspellings are on record for ensconce in our index, a straightforward case of a spelling with little room for common typos. This entry stands alone in our confusable dataset, which typically means the spelling is too distinctive to be mistaken for another word.
Etymologically, the entry records: From en- + sconce, “to place in a sconce (“fortification”)”. The correct English form is ensconce, spelled E-N-S-C-O-N-C-E.
Definition
- 1To place in a secure environment.
- 2To settle comfortably.
Recorded use
Wiktionary examplesThese source excerpts show how ensconce appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.
She shall not see me, I will ensconce mee behinde the Arras.
They found the sharp new heap they were seeking, and ensconced themselves within the protection of three great elms that grew in a bunch within a few feet of the grave.
Etymology
From en- + sconce, “to place in a sconce (“fortification”)”.
Synonyms
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.