Javert

noun

"javert" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“Javert” is uncommon English (frequency #83,384 among 796 “J” headwords), classed as a noun. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

#83,384
frequency rank, English
796
“J” headwords

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 2, 2026) - One who remorselessly pursues a perceived wrongdoer.

Corpus desk

Index EN-javert · Javert · English

Javert · rank #83,384 · 0 variants · 0 confusables

  • FREQ-RARE #83,384
  • LEN-LONG 6 letters
  • VOW-2 2 vowels
  • CONFUS-0 No pairs
  • VAR-0 0 variants
  • BOOK-MID 796
  • PHOTO-FINISH Jenin

Nearest frequency peer: Jenin (+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.

Frequency neighbourhood for “Javert”

Lower corpus rank = more everyday usage (inverted bar length for readability)

corpus weight

What this shows Bars show where “Javert” sits against the nearest ranked English headwords in the FrequencyWords band, not a reprint of letter-browse containment.

Source FrequencyWords open word-frequency list As of September 2, 2026
Key facts for Javert
PropertyValue
HeadwordJavert
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
Letters6
Frequency rank#83,384
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “Javert” 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). Javert lands here:

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

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

Rare enough to double-check

Javert is uncommon English at frequency #83,384 among 796 “J” headwords, classed as anoun. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. Gloss: "One who remorselessly pursues a perceived wrongdoer.".

We couldn't generate a plausible misspelling set for Javert, suggesting the orthography follows predictable English patterns. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Javert, a police inspector in Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables. The correct English form is Javert, spelled J-A-V-E-R-T.

Definition

  1. 1
    One who remorselessly pursues a perceived wrongdoer.

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how Javert appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. Whether by instinct, as in Boston, or by psychological testing, as in St. Louis, some police departments are waking up to the characterological hazards of the police profession. But unfortunately there are still a good many Javerts around.
  2. The Javerts in today's society are supported not with index cards and filing clerks, but with the latest electronic databases […]

Etymology

From Javert, a police inspector in Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables.

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.

PlainSpell is rendered directly from structured Wiktionary extracts and open word-frequency lists, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of September 2, 2026. Primary sources: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) and FrequencyWords.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "Javert"?
"Javert" is spelled J-A-V-E-R-T.
What does "Javert" mean?
As a noun, "Javert" means: One who remorselessly pursues a perceived wrongdoer.
What is the origin of the word "Javert"?
From Javert, a police inspector in Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables. 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 "Javert", not the corpus desk frequency band.

Same letter count

Frequency-ranked English headwords with 6 letters (nearest by frequency rank).

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