harlequin

/ˈhɑːlɪkwɪn/

//ˈhɑːlɪkwɪn// noun

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

"harlequin" is a 9-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“harlequin” is a moderately-common English word, ranked #34,513 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#34,513
frequency rank, English
9
letters
13
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A pantomime fool, typically dressed in colorful checkered clothes, used as a stock character in commedia dell'arte and other genres.

Key facts for harlequin
PropertyValue
Headwordharlequin
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈhɑːlɪkwɪn/
Letters9
Frequency rank#34,513
Misspellings tracked13
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “harlequin” 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). harlequin 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 harlequin is 9 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈhɑːlɪkwɪn/. Corpus data places it at rank #34,513 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 4 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 13 likely wrong-spelling variants for harlequin, with forms such as "ahrlequin", "halrequin", and "harelquin". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, since no other headword is close enough in sound or shape to pair with it.

Etymologically, the entry records: From earlier Harlicken, from Middle French Harlequin (in Italian Arlecchino, the name of a popular servant character in commedia dell'arte plays), from Old French Harlequin, Halequin, Herlequin, Hellequin, Hierlekin, Hellekin (a demon, malevolent spirit), p… The correct English form is harlequin, spelled H-A-R-L-E-Q-U-I-N.

Definition

  1. 1
    A pantomime fool, typically dressed in colorful checkered clothes, used as a stock character in commedia dell'arte and other genres.
  2. 2
    A greenish-chartreuse color.
  3. 3
    A harlequin duck.
  4. 4
    Any of various riodinid butterflies of the genera Taxila and Praetaxila.

Etymology

From earlier Harlicken, from Middle French Harlequin (in Italian Arlecchino, the name of a popular servant character in commedia dell'arte plays), from Old French Harlequin, Halequin, Herlequin, Hellequin, Hierlekin, Hellekin (a demon, malevolent spirit), probably of Germanic origin, connected to the Old English figure of *Herla Cyning (“King Herla”, a mythical figure identified with Woden) or possibly to Old Frisian helle kin, Old English helle cyn, Old Norse heljar kyn (“the kindred of Hell”). Related to Middle English Hurlewain (“a mischievous sprite or goblin”).

This word in other languages

arlequín(Español)arlequin(Français)Harlekin(Deutsch)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: ahrlequin,halrequin,harelquin,harleqiun,harleqquin,harlequinn,harlequni,harleuqin,harllequin,harlqeuin,harrlequin,hharlequin,hralequin

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of harlequin - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

ahrlequin2halrequin2harelquin2harleqiun2harleqquin1harlequinn1harlequni2harleuqin2
Edit distance from "harlequin"

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 "harlequin"?
"harlequin" is spelled H-A-R-L-E-Q-U-I-N. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈhɑːlɪkwɪn/.
What does "harlequin" mean?
As a noun, "harlequin" means: A pantomime fool, typically dressed in colorful checkered clothes, used as a stock character in commedia dell'arte and other genres.
What are common misspellings of "harlequin"?
Common misspellings include "ahrlequin", "halrequin", "harelquin", "harleqiun", "harleqquin". The correct spelling is "harlequin".
How do you pronounce "harlequin"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "harlequin" is /ˈhɑːlɪkwɪn/. 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 "harlequin"?
From earlier Harlicken, from Middle French Harlequin (in Italian Arlecchino, the name of a popular servant character in commedia dell'arte plays), from Old French Harlequin, Halequin, Herlequin, Hellequin, Hierlekin, Hellekin (a demon, malevolent ... 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 “harlequin”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is H-A-R-L-E-Q-U-I-N - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈhɑːlɪkwɪn/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • 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