# latent

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈleɪ.tənt/ · frequency rank #20,407

## Definitions
1. Existing or present but concealed or inactive.
2. Remaining in an inactive or hidden phase; dormant.
3. Lying dormant or hidden until circumstances are suitable for development or manifestation.

## Etymology
From Middle English latent, latente, from Old French latent, from Latin latēns, present participle of lateō (“lie hidden”).

## Easily confused with
- **lent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/latent-vs-lent)
- **later** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/latent-vs-later)
- **Latin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/latent-vs-latin)
- **latex** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/latent-vs-latex)
- **latest** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/latent-vs-latest)
- **Latino** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/latent-vs-latino)
- **Latina** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/latent-vs-latina)
- **lucent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/latent-vs-lucent)
- **Laurent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/latent-vs-laurent)
- **late** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/late-vs-latent)
- **laden** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laden-vs-latent)
- **lately** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lately-vs-latent)
- **lament** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lament-vs-latent)
- **latency** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/latency-vs-latent)

## Common misspellings (9)
`altent`, `laetnt`, `latennt`, `latentt`, `latetn`, `latnet`, `lattent`, `llatent`, `ltaent`

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