# ligand

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈlɪɡ.ənd/ · frequency rank #27,197

## Definitions
1. A molecule or moiety (ion, functional group, or radical) that binds to another chemical entity to form a larger complex; as, especially:
2. A molecule or moiety (ion, functional group, or radical) that binds to another chemical entity to form a larger complex; as, especially:
3. A letter that orthography requires or allows to be ligated with one or more other letters to form a ligature, such as a in æ or o in œ.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin ligandus, gerundive of ligo (“bind”).

## Easily confused with
- **lind** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ligand-vs-lind)
- **logan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ligand-vs-logan)
- **lizard** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ligand-vs-lizard)
- **litany** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ligand-vs-litany)
- **land** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/land-vs-ligand)
- **LIGA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/liga-vs-ligand)
- **Lian** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lian-vs-ligand)
- **liang** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/liang-vs-ligand)
- **legend** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/legend-vs-ligand)
- **Leland** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/leland-vs-ligand)

## Common misspellings (9)
`ilgand`, `lgiand`, `liagnd`, `ligadn`, `ligandd`, `ligannd`, `liggand`, `lignad`, `lligand`

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