# libra

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈliːbrə/ · frequency rank #31,636

## Definitions
1. A Roman unit of mass, usually equivalent to 327 g.
2. A traditional Spanish unit of mass, usually around 460 g.
3. A traditional Portuguese unit of mass, usually equivalent to 345 g and particularly used for trade in medicines.
4. Synonym of arratel, a separate Portuguese unit of mass, usually around 460 g.
5. Alternative spelling of libbra, a traditional Italian unit of mass.
6. Synonym of pound, a notional pound of silver as a money of account, especially in medieval contexts.

## Etymology
From Latin lībra (“pound”), partially via Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese libra. Doublet of arratel, libbra, Libra, lira, litra, litre, livre, and rottol.

## Easily confused with
- **Lisa** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-lisa)
- **lima** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-lima)
- **LIGA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-liga)
- **Lina** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-lina)
- **lila** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-lila)
- **lira** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-lira)
- **lire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-lire)
- **lyra** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-lyra)
- **lipa** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-lipa)
- **Lora** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-lora)
- **Linda** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-linda)
- **Libya** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-libya)
- **litre** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-litre)
- **libre** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-libre)
- **Livia** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-livia)
- **Lycra** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-lycra)
- **Libyan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-libyan)
- **library** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/libra-vs-library)
- **lib** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lib-vs-libra)
- **liar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/liar-vs-libra)

## Common misspellings (7)
`ilbra`, `lbira`, `libar`, `libbra`, `librra`, `lirba`, `llibra`

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