# erect

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ɪˈɹɛkt/ · frequency rank #14,524

## Definitions
1. Upright; vertical or reaching broadly upwards.
2. Rigid, firm; standing out perpendicularly, especially as the result of stimulation.
3. Having an erect penis or clitoris.
4. Bold; confident; free from depression; undismayed.
5. Directed upward; raised; uplifted.
6. Watchful; alert.
7. Elevated, as the tips of wings, heads of serpents, etc.

## Etymology
From Middle English erect, a borrowing from Latin ērectus (“upright”), past participle of ērigō (“raise, set up”), from ē- (“out”) + regō (“to direct, keep straight, guide”).

## Easily confused with
- **eric** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erect-vs-eric)
- **exec** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erect-vs-exec)
- **event** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erect-vs-event)
- **exact** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erect-vs-exact)
- **Erica** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erect-vs-erica)
- **Ernst** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erect-vs-ernst)
- **exert** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erect-vs-exert)
- **Erich** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erect-vs-erich)
- **erupt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erect-vs-erupt)
- **evict** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erect-vs-evict)
- **Erick** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erect-vs-erick)
- **expect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erect-vs-expect)
- **Ernest** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erect-vs-ernest)
- **erected** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erect-vs-erected)
- **ere** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ere-vs-erect)
- **ECT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ect-vs-erect)
- **EEC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/eec-vs-erect)
- **Erc** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erc-vs-erect)
- **elect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elect-vs-erect)
- **enact** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/enact-vs-erect)

## Common misspellings (7)
`eerct`, `ercet`, `erecct`, `erectt`, `eretc`, `errect`, `reect`

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