iterative

/ˈɪt(ə)ɹətɪv/

//ˈɪt(ə)ɹətɪv// adj

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

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

The verdict

“iterative” has 12 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #34,550. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#34,550
frequency rank, English
2,140
“I” headwords
12
tracked misspellings
4
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - Of a procedure that involves repetition of steps (iteration) to achieve the desired outcome; in computing this may involve a mechanism such as a loop.

Corpus desk

Index EN-iterative · iterative · English

iterative · rank #34,550 · 12 variants · 4 confusables

  • FREQ-MID #34,550
  • LEN-LONG 9 letters
  • VOW-5 5 vowels
  • CONFUS-MID 4 pairs
  • VAR-MID 12 variants
  • BOOK-MID 2,140
  • PHOTO-FINISH ITC

Nearest frequency peer: ITC (-1 rank slots)

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Rank peers near misspelling magnet “iterative”

Same rarity band: useful when a typo lands on a peer headword

corpus weight

What this shows “iterative” sits among these FrequencyWords peers; misspelling depth is tracked separately in the edit-distance chart.

Source FrequencyWords open word-frequency list As of September 3, 2026

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

iterative vs iteration
78% similar
iterative vs imperative
80% similar
iterative vs interactive
82% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for iterative
PropertyValue
Headworditerative
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechAdjective
IPA/ˈɪt(ə)ɹətɪv/
Letters9
Frequency rank#34,550
Misspellings tracked12
Confusable pairs4
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Frequency seat of misspelling magnet “iterative”

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right).iterativelands here:

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

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Same rarity band neighbours include “ITC” (#34,549), “Jacoby” (#34,551), “irregularly” (#34,548). Among 2,140 “I” headwords, “iterative” is #34,550. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 12 spelling variants around iterative (IPA /ˈɪt(ə)ɹətɪv/), anadjective. Corpus frequency is #34,550 among 2,140 “I” headwords. Wiktionary lists 2 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 12 likely wrong-spelling variants for iterative, with forms such as "ietrative", "iteartive", and "iteraitve". 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. It also participates in 4 confusable-pair relationships, "iteration", "imperative", "interactive", and more, where similar look or sound leads writers to substitute one word for another in context.

Etymologically, the entry records: From French itératif. The correct English form is iterative, spelled I-T-E-R-A-T-I-V-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    Of a procedure that involves repetition of steps (iteration) to achieve the desired outcome; in computing this may involve a mechanism such as a loop.
  2. 2
    Expressive of an action that is repeated with frequency.

Etymology

From French itératif.

Synonyms

repeatedrepetitivefrequentative

Antonyms

noniterative

This word in other languages

iterativo(Español)itératif(Français)iterativ(Deutsch)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • ietrative
  • iteartive
  • iteraitve
  • iteratiev
  • iterativve
  • iterattive
  • iteratvie
  • iterrative
  • itertaive
  • itreative
  • itterative
  • tierative

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

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

ietrative2iteartive2iteraitve2iteratiev2iterativve1iterattive1iteratvie2iterrative1
Edit distance from "iterative"

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 "iterative"?
"iterative" is spelled I-T-E-R-A-T-I-V-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈɪt(ə)ɹətɪv/.
What does "iterative" mean?
As an adjective, "iterative" means: Of a procedure that involves repetition of steps (iteration) to achieve the desired outcome; in computing this may involve a mechanism such as a loop.
What words are commonly confused with "iterative"?
"iterative" is commonly confused with "iteration", "imperative", "interactive". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "iterative"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "iterative" is /ˈɪt(ə)ɹətɪv/. 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 "iterative"?
From French itératif. 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.

Similar English words by spelling shape

Same letter count and similar misspelling depth for "iterative", not the corpus desk frequency band.

Same letter count

Frequency-ranked English headwords with 9 letters (nearest by frequency rank).

insolvent#34,545infertile#34,541indignant#34,539Littleton#34,572

Similar misspelling depth

Headwords with a similar count of attested misspellings (12 here; floor ≥5).

injector12 variantsLevinson12 variantsheathens12 variantsmiddleman12 variants

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list