# ion

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈaɪən/ · frequency rank #5,604

## Definitions
1. An atom or group of atoms bearing an electrical charge, such as the sodium and chlorine atoms in a salt solution.

## Etymology
From the ending of anion and cation, which in turn is from Ancient Greek ἰόν (ión, “going”), neuter present participle of εἶμι (eîmi, “I go”). Coined by English polymath William Whewell in 1834 for Michael Faraday, who introduced it later that year.

## Easily confused with
- **is** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-is)
- **it** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-it)
- **IV** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-iv)
- **IP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-ip)
- **IQ** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-iq)
- **iz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-iz)
- **its** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-its)
- **iOS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-ios)
- **IRS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-irs)
- **IRA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-ira)
- **ivy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-ivy)
- **iso** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-iso)
- **ISA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-isa)
- **ISS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-iss)
- **IRL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-irl)
- **IPO** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-ipo)
- **IPA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-ipa)
- **ips** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-ips)
- **ISP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-isp)
- **ire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ion-vs-ire)

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