# laser

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈleɪz.ə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #5,140

## Definitions
1. A device that produces a monochromatic, coherent beam of light.
2. A beam of light produced by such a device; a laser beam.
3. A laser printer.
4. Ellipsis of laser hair removal.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *lewk-der.
Proto-Germanic *leuhtaz
Proto-West Germanic *leuht
Old English lēoht
Middle English light
English light
Latin amplus
Latin -ficō
Latin amplificō
Proto-Indo-European *-tisder.
Proto-Italic *-tjō
Latin -tiō
Latin amplificātiōlbor.
English amplification
Latin stimulus
Latin stimulo
Latin stimulatusbor.
English stimulate
English -ed
English stimulated
English emission
English radiation
English LASER
English laser
From LASER, acronym of light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Coined by American physicist Gordon Gould in 1957. Originally called an optical maser.

## Easily confused with
- **last** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-last)
- **late** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-late)
- **lose** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-lose)
- **lash** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-lash)
- **lass** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-lass)
- **Lise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-lise)
- **leer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-leer)
- **later** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-later)
- **lower** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-lower)
- **layer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-layer)
- **lover** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-lover)
- **liver** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-liver)
- **lease** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-lease)
- **loser** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-loser)
- **lasts** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-lasts)
- **liner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-liner)
- **lever** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-lever)
- **liter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-liter)
- **latex** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-latex)
- **loner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laser-vs-loner)

## Common misspellings (7)
`alser`, `laesr`, `laserr`, `lasre`, `lasser`, `llaser`, `lsaer`

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