# friction

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈfɹɪkʃən̩/ · frequency rank #11,033

## Definitions
1. The rubbing of one object or surface against another.
2. A force that resists the relative motion or tendency to such motion of two bodies in contact.
3. Massage of the body to restore circulation.
4. Conflict, as between persons having dissimilar ideas or interests; clash.
5. (Second Sino-Japanese War) Conflict, as between the Communists and non-Hanjian Kuomintang forces.

## Etymology
From Middle French friction and directly from Latin frictionem, nom. frictio (“a rubbing, rubbing down”).

## Easily confused with
- **function** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/friction-vs-function)
- **fruition** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/friction-vs-fruition)
- **fiction** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fiction-vs-friction)
- **faction** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/faction-vs-friction)
- **fraction** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fraction-vs-friction)

## Common misspellings (13)
`ffriction`, `firction`, `frcition`, `fricction`, `friciton`, `fricsion`, `frictino`, `frictionn`, `frictoin`, `fricttion`, `fritcion`, `frriction`, `rfiction`

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