# execute

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈɛksɪˌkjuːt/ · frequency rank #7,687

## Definitions
1. To kill, especially as punishment for a capital crime.
2. To carry out; to put into effect.
3. To perform.
4. To carry out, to perform an act; to put into effect or cause to become legally binding or valid (as a contract) by so doing.
5. To start, launch, or run.
6. To run, usually successfully.

## Etymology
From Old French executer (French exécuter), from Latin exsecutus, past participle of exsequor (“to follow (up/through)”, particularly in the sense “to go through with a deed or punishment”), from ex- (“out”) + sequor (“to follow”).

## Easily confused with
- **executed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/execute-vs-executed)
- **executor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/execute-vs-executor)
- **executive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/execute-vs-executive)
- **excuse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/excuse-vs-execute)
- **excite** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/excite-vs-execute)

## Common misspellings (9)
`eexcute`, `exceute`, `execcute`, `exectue`, `execuet`, `executte`, `exeucte`, `exxecute`, `xeecute`

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