# file

> English word · Noun · IPA /faɪl/ · frequency rank #1,825

## Definitions
1. A collection of papers collated and archived together.
2. A roll or list.
3. A course of thought; a thread of narration.
4. An aggregation of data on a storage device, identified by a name.
5. A row of modular kitchen units and a countertop, consisting of cabinets and appliances below (dishwasher) and next to (stove/cooker) a countertop.
6. Clipping of file cabinet.

## Etymology
From Old French fil (“thread”), from Latin fīlum (“thread”). Doublet of filum.

## Easily confused with
- **FL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-fl)
- **fit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-fit)
- **fix** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-fix)
- **fly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-fly)
- **flu** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-flu)
- **fin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-fin)
- **FLA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-fla)
- **foe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-foe)
- **fir** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-fir)
- **Flo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-flo)
- **FIS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-fis)
- **FTL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-ftl)
- **FTE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-fte)
- **find** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-find)
- **free** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-free)
- **full** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-full)
- **five** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-five)
- **fire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-fire)
- **fine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-fine)
- **film** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/file-vs-film)

## Common misspellings (5)
`ffile`, `fiel`, `fille`, `flie`, `ifle`

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