hindrance

/ˈhɪndɹəns/

//ˈhɪndɹəns// noun

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

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

The verdict

“hindrance” has 15 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #28,581. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#28,581
frequency rank, English
23,837
“H” headwords
15
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - Something which hinders: something that holds back or causes problems with something else.

Key facts for hindrance
PropertyValue
Headwordhindrance
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈhɪndɹəns/
Letters9
Frequency rank#28,581
Misspellings tracked15
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “hindrance” 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). hindrance 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 15 spelling variants around hindrance (IPA /ˈhɪndɹəns/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #28,581 among 23,837 “H” headwords. Wiktionary lists 2 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 15 likely wrong-spelling variants for hindrance, with forms such as "hhindrance", "hidnrance", and "hindarnce". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. Our dataset records no confusable match here, which tends to mean the word is visually distinctive enough to stand on its own.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English hinderance, hinderaunce, hindraunce, hynderaunce, hynderawnce, hynderawns, hyndrance; equivalent to hinder + -ance. The correct English form is hindrance, spelled H-I-N-D-R-A-N-C-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    Something which hinders: something that holds back or causes problems with something else.
  2. 2
    The state or act of hindering something.

Etymology

From Middle English hinderance, hinderaunce, hindraunce, hynderaunce, hynderawnce, hynderawns, hyndrance; equivalent to hinder + -ance.

Synonyms

bardragbarrierbone in the throatbump in the roadhindranceimpedimentobstructionobstacleencumbrancehurdleroadblockstumbling blockhitch

This word in other languages

obstáculo(Español)entrave(Français)Behinderung(Deutsch)obstáculo(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • hhindrance
  • hidnrance
  • hindarnce
  • hinddrance
  • hindracne
  • hindrancce
  • hindranec
  • hindrannce
  • hindrence
  • hindrnace
  • hindrrance
  • hinndrance
  • hinrdance
  • hnidrance
  • ihndrance

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of hindrance - 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.

hhindrance1hidnrance2hindarnce2hinddrance1hindracne2hindrancce1hindranec2hindrannce1
Edit distance from "hindrance"

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 "hindrance"?
"hindrance" is spelled H-I-N-D-R-A-N-C-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈhɪndɹəns/.
What does "hindrance" mean?
As a noun, "hindrance" means: Something which hinders: something that holds back or causes problems with something else.
What are common misspellings of "hindrance"?
Common misspellings include "hhindrance", "hidnrance", "hindarnce", "hinddrance", "hindracne". The correct spelling is "hindrance".
How do you pronounce "hindrance"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "hindrance" is /ˈhɪndɹəns/. 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 "hindrance"?
From Middle English hinderance, hinderaunce, hindraunce, hynderaunce, hynderawnce, hynderawns, hyndrance; equivalent to hinder + -ance. 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 “hindrance”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is H-I-N-D-R-A-N-C-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈhɪndɹəns/ (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