# lingua

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈlɪŋ.ɡwə/ · frequency rank #38,945

## Definitions
1. Synonym of tongue.
2. A median process of the labium, at the underside of the mouth in insects, and serving as a tongue.

## Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from Latin lingua (“the tongue”). Doublet of langue and tongue.

## Easily confused with
- **Linux** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lingua-vs-linux)
- **Linus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lingua-vs-linus)
- **lingual** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lingua-vs-lingual)
- **LIGA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/liga-vs-lingua)
- **Lina** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lina-vs-lingua)
- **Linda** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/linda-vs-lingua)
- **lingo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lingo-vs-lingua)
- **lineup** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lineup-vs-lingua)
- **linger** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/linger-vs-lingua)

## Common misspellings (8)
`ilngua`, `lignua`, `lingau`, `linggua`, `linngua`, `linuga`, `llingua`, `lnigua`

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