# fang

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈfæ̝ŋ/ · frequency rank #18,559

## Definitions
1. A long, pointed canine tooth used for biting and tearing flesh.
2. Synonym of mandible, the long mouthpart of insects and other invertebrates.
3. A long, pointed tooth in snakes, used for injecting venom.
4. A pointed extension of the chelicera in spiders, used for injecting venom.
5. Synonym of tooth, particularly in humans.
6. Either of the two factors that make a number a vampire number.

## Etymology
From clipping of fangtooth, from Middle English *fangtooth, *fengtooth, from Old English fengtōþ (“molar tooth”), from feng, preterite of fōn (“to catch, take, seize”). Cognate with German Fangzahn (“fang”, literally “catch-tooth”) and Dutch vangtand. See also related senses of Etymology 3 below.

## Easily confused with
- **FN** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-fn)
- **far** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-far)
- **fun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-fun)
- **fat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-fat)
- **fig** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-fig)
- **fog** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-fog)
- **fin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-fin)
- **fax** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-fax)
- **fay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-fay)
- **FAQ** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-faq)
- **fas** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-fas)
- **FAO** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-fao)
- **fen** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-fen)
- **FNC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-fnc)
- **fap** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-fap)
- **find** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-find)
- **fine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-fine)
- **fast** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-fast)
- **fans** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-fans)
- **fund** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fang-vs-fund)

## Common misspellings (6)
`afng`, `fagn`, `fangg`, `fanng`, `ffang`, `fnag`

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