epicenter

/ˈɛpɪˌsɛntɚ/

//ˈɛpɪˌsɛntɚ// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

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

The verdict

“epicenter” has 13 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #32,793. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#32,793
frequency rank, English
18,836
“E” headwords
13
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - Alternative form of epicentre.

Key facts for epicenter
PropertyValue
Headwordepicenter
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈɛpɪˌsɛntɚ/
Letters9
Frequency rank#32,793
Misspellings tracked13
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “epicenter” 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). epicenter lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 13 spelling variants around epicenter (IPA /ˈɛpɪˌsɛntɚ/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #32,793 among 18,836 “E” headwords. Dominant gloss: "Alternative form of epicentre.".

Our generated misspelling index lists 13 likely wrong-spelling variants for epicenter, with forms such as "eipcenter", "epcienter", and "epiccenter". 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. This entry stands alone in our confusable dataset, since nothing in our dataset looks or sounds close enough to cause mix-ups.

Etymologically, the entry records: From epi- + center. The correct English form is epicenter, spelled E-P-I-C-E-N-T-E-R.

Definition

  1. 1
    Alternative form of epicentre.

Etymology

From epi- + center.

Antonyms

hypocenter

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • eipcenter
  • epcienter
  • epiccenter
  • epicenetr
  • epicennter
  • epicenterr
  • epicentre
  • epicentter
  • epicetner
  • epicneter
  • epiecnter
  • eppicenter
  • peicenter

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of epicenter - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

eipcenter2epcienter2epiccenter1epicenetr2epicennter1epicenterr1epicentre2epicentter1
Edit distance from "epicenter"

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 "epicenter"?
"epicenter" is spelled E-P-I-C-E-N-T-E-R. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈɛpɪˌsɛntɚ/.
What does "epicenter" mean?
As a noun, "epicenter" means: Alternative form of epicentre.
What are common misspellings of "epicenter"?
Common misspellings include "eipcenter", "epcienter", "epiccenter", "epicenetr", "epicennter". The correct spelling is "epicenter".
How do you pronounce "epicenter"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "epicenter" is /ˈɛpɪˌsɛntɚ/. 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 "epicenter"?
From epi- + center. 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 “epicenter”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is E-P-I-C-E-N-T-E-R - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈɛpɪˌsɛntɚ/ (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

Same frequency band

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