# fortress

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈfoɹ.tɹɪs/ · frequency rank #10,051

## Definitions
1. A fortified place; a large and permanent fortification, sometimes including a town; for example a fort, a castle; a stronghold; a place of defense or security.
2. A position that, if obtained by the weaker side, will prevent penetration by the opposing side, generally achieving a draw.

## Etymology
Early 14 c., from Old French forteresce, forteresse, forterece (“strong place, fortification”), variant of fortelesse, from Medieval Latin fortalitia, from Latin fortis (“strong”) (see fort) + -itia, added to adjectives to form nouns of quality or condition. French -ess, from Latin -itia is also in words such as duress, prowess, largesse and richesse. For change of medial -l- to -r- in Old French, compare orne (“elm”) from ulmus; chartre from cartula and chapitre from capitulum. First attested in the 12th century.

## Easily confused with
- **Forrest** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/forrest-vs-fortress)
- **forties** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/forties-vs-fortress)

## Common misspellings (11)
`ffortress`, `forrtess`, `forrtress`, `forterss`, `fortres`, `fortrress`, `fortrses`, `forttress`, `fotrress`, `frotress`, `ofrtress`

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