hibernate

/ˈhaɪbə(r)ˌneɪt/

//ˈhaɪbə(r)ˌneɪt// verb

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

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

The verdict

“hibernate” has 13 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #41,671. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#41,671
frequency rank, English
23,837
“H” headwords
13
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To spend the winter in a dormant or inactive state of minimal activity, low body temperature, slow breathing and heart rate, and low metabolic rate; to go through a winter sleep.

Key facts for hibernate
PropertyValue
Headwordhibernate
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ˈhaɪbə(r)ˌneɪt/
Letters9
Frequency rank#41,671
Misspellings tracked13
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “hibernate” 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). hibernate lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 13 spelling variants around hibernate (IPA /ˈhaɪbə(r)ˌneɪt/), averb. Corpus frequency is #41,671 among 23,837 “H” headwords. Wiktionary lists 3 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 13 likely wrong-spelling variants for hibernate, with forms such as "hbiernate", "hhibernate", and "hibbernate". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. This entry stands alone in our confusable dataset, since no other headword is close enough in sound or shape to pair with it.

Etymologically, the entry records: Borrowed from Latin hībernātus, perfect passive participle of hībernō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from hībernus (“wintry”). The correct English form is hibernate, spelled H-I-B-E-R-N-A-T-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    To spend the winter in a dormant or inactive state of minimal activity, low body temperature, slow breathing and heart rate, and low metabolic rate; to go through a winter sleep.
  2. 2
    To live in seclusion.
  3. 3
    To enter a standby state which conserves power without losing the contents of memory.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin hībernātus, perfect passive participle of hībernō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from hībernus (“wintry”).

This word in other languages

hibernar(Español)hiberner(Français)überwintern(Deutsch)hibernar(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • hbiernate
  • hhibernate
  • hibbernate
  • hibenrate
  • hiberante
  • hibernaet
  • hibernatte
  • hibernnate
  • hiberntae
  • hiberrnate
  • hibrenate
  • hiebrnate
  • ihbernate

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of hibernate - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

hbiernate2hhibernate1hibbernate1hibenrate2hiberante2hibernaet2hibernatte1hibernnate1
Edit distance from "hibernate"

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 "hibernate"?
"hibernate" is spelled H-I-B-E-R-N-A-T-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈhaɪbə(r)ˌneɪt/.
What does "hibernate" mean?
As a verb, "hibernate" means: To spend the winter in a dormant or inactive state of minimal activity, low body temperature, slow breathing and heart rate, and low metabolic rate; to go through a winter sleep.
What are common misspellings of "hibernate"?
Common misspellings include "hbiernate", "hhibernate", "hibbernate", "hibenrate", "hiberante". The correct spelling is "hibernate".
How do you pronounce "hibernate"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "hibernate" is /ˈhaɪbə(r)ˌneɪt/. 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 "hibernate"?
Borrowed from Latin hībernātus, perfect passive participle of hībernō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from hībernus (“wintry”). 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 “hibernate”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is H-I-B-E-R-N-A-T-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈhaɪbə(r)ˌneɪt/ (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

Same frequency band

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