extraction

/ɪkˈstɹækʃən/

//ɪkˈstɹækʃən// noun

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

"extraction" is a 10-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“extraction” is a regularly-used English word, ranked #9,606 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#9,606
frequency rank, English
10
letters
16
tracked misspellings
4
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - The act of extracting or the condition of being extracted.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

extraction vs extractor
80% similar
extraction vs extractive
80% similar
extraction vs extradition
82% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for extraction
PropertyValue
Headwordextraction
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ɪkˈstɹækʃən/
Letters10
Frequency rank#9,606
Misspellings tracked16
Confusable pairs4
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “extraction” 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). extraction 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 extraction is 10 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ɪkˈstɹækʃən/. Corpus data places it at rank #9,606 in overall English word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 6 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 16 likely wrong-spelling variants for extraction, with forms such as "etxraction", "exrtaction", and "extarction". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. It also participates in 4 confusable-pair relationships, "extractor", "extractive", "extradition", and more, since the words sound or look close enough that writers reach for the wrong one mid-sentence.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Old French estraction, from Medieval Latin extractio. The correct English form is extraction, spelled E-X-T-R-A-C-T-I-O-N.

Definition

  1. 1
    The act of extracting or the condition of being extracted.
  2. 2
    Something extracted, an extract, as from a plant or an organ of an animal etc.
  3. 3
    A person's origin or ancestry.
  4. 4
    The act of removing someone from a hostile area to a secure location.
  5. 5
    The removal of a tooth from its socket.
  6. 6
    The extraction yield of a brewed coffee.

Etymology

From Old French estraction, from Medieval Latin extractio.

Synonyms

descentlineageextractreduction

This word in other languages

extracción(Español)extraction(Français)Extraktion(Deutsch)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: etxraction,exrtaction,extarction,extracction,extraciton,extracsion,extractino,extractionn,extractoin,extracttion,extratcion,extrcation,extrraction,exttraction,exxtraction,xetraction

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of extraction - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

etxraction2exrtaction2extarction2extracction1extraciton2extracsion1extractino2extractionn1
Edit distance from "extraction"

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 "extraction"?
"extraction" is spelled E-X-T-R-A-C-T-I-O-N. The IPA pronunciation is /ɪkˈstɹækʃən/.
What does "extraction" mean?
As a noun, "extraction" means: The act of extracting or the condition of being extracted.
What words are commonly confused with "extraction"?
"extraction" is commonly confused with "extractor", "extractive", "extradition". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "extraction"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "extraction" is /ɪkˈstɹækʃən/. 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 "extraction"?
From Old French estraction, from Medieval Latin extractio. 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 “extraction”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is E-X-T-R-A-C-T-I-O-N - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ɪkˈstɹækʃən/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “extractor” - see the side-by-side comparison. extraction vs extractor
  • 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