log

/lɒɡ/

//lɒɡ// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"log" is a 3-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“log” sits in 20 confusable pairs (corpus #3,826) as a noun. The look-alike neighbours are the real trap.

#3,826
frequency rank, English
2,297
“L” headwords
20
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - The trunk of a dead tree, cleared of branches.

Corpus desk

Index EN-log · log · English

log · rank #3,826 · 0 variants · 20 confusables

  • FREQ-COMMON #3,826
  • LEN-MID 3 letters
  • VOW-1 1 vowel
  • CONFUS-HIGH 20 pairs
  • VAR-0 0 variants
  • BOOK-MID 2,297
  • PHOTO-FINISH legacy

Nearest frequency peer: legacy (-1 rank slots)

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Frequency neighbourhood for “log”

Lower corpus rank = more everyday usage (inverted bar length for readability)

corpus weight

What this shows Bars show where “log” sits against the nearest ranked English headwords in the FrequencyWords band, not a reprint of letter-browse containment.

Source FrequencyWords open word-frequency list As of September 3, 2026

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

log vs Lt
0% similar
log vs LP
0% similar
log vs Ls
0% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for log
PropertyValue
Headwordlog
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/lɒɡ/
Letters3
Frequency rank#3,826
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs20
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “log” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). log lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Easy to mix with look-alikes

The spelling risk for log is neighbouring look-alikes ("Lt", "LP", …), not just typos; it is anoun pronounced /lɒɡ/. Frequency #3,826 among 2,297 “L” headwords. 11 recorded senses keep meaning in play.

We couldn't generate a plausible misspelling set for log, suggesting the orthography follows predictable English patterns. It also participates in 20 confusable-pair relationships, "Lt", "LP", "Ls", and more, a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English logge, logg (first recorded in Anglo-Latin as loggum), of uncertain origin, but probably from Old Norse lóg, lág (“felled tree, log”), derived from Old Norse liggja (“to lie”). If so, then cognate with Norwegian låg (“fallen tree”), Dutc… The correct English form is log, spelled L-O-G.

Definition

  1. 1
    The trunk of a dead tree, cleared of branches.
  2. 2
    Any bulky piece as cut from the above, used as timber, fuel etc.
  3. 3
    A unit of length equivalent to 16 feet, used for measuring timber, especially the trunk of a tree.
  4. 4
    Anything shaped like a log; a cylinder.
  5. 5
    A floating device, usually of wood, used in navigation to estimate the speed of a vessel through water.
  6. 6
    A blockhead; a very stupid person.
  7. 7
    A heavy longboard.
  8. 8
    A rolled cake with filling.
  9. 9
    A weight or block near the free end of a hoisting rope to prevent it from being drawn through the sheave.
  10. 10
    A piece of feces, especially a relatively long, solid one, resembling a tree log.
  11. 11
    A penis.

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how log appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. They walked across the stream on a fallen log.
  2. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Etymology

From Middle English logge, logg (first recorded in Anglo-Latin as loggum), of uncertain origin, but probably from Old Norse lóg, lág (“felled tree, log”), derived from Old Norse liggja (“to lie”). If so, then cognate with Norwegian låg (“fallen tree”), Dutch loog (“wood, timber, lumber”). Alternatively, directly from Norwegian låg (“fallen tree”), which could have been borrowed through the Norwegian timber trade. However the Old Norse/Middle Norwegian vowel is long while Middle English vowel is short.

This word in other languages

leño(Español)grume(Français)Baumstamm(Deutsch)cepo(Português)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

PlainSpell is rendered directly from structured Wiktionary extracts and open word-frequency lists, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of September 3, 2026. Primary sources: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) and FrequencyWords.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "log"?
"log" is spelled L-O-G. The IPA pronunciation is /lɒɡ/.
What does "log" mean?
As a noun, "log" means: The trunk of a dead tree, cleared of branches.
What words are commonly confused with "log"?
"log" is commonly confused with "Lt", "LP", "Ls". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "log"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "log" is /lɒɡ/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "log"?
From Middle English logge, logg (first recorded in Anglo-Latin as loggum), of uncertain origin, but probably from Old Norse lóg, lág (“felled tree, log”), derived from Old Norse liggja (“to lie”). If so, then cognate with Norwegian låg (“fallen tr... See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Similar English words by spelling shape

Same letter count and similar misspelling depth for "log", not the corpus desk frequency band.

Same letter count

Frequency-ranked English headwords with 3 letters (nearest by frequency rank).

nov#3,831cop#3,804sin#3,848doc#3,875

What to do next

You've looked up "log". Here's where to go from here.

  • "log" maps to 20 confusable pairs in this vintage; the highest-scored is "Lt". View pair
  • Usage frequency rank #3,826 among English headwords in this corpus. Corpus statistics
  • Browse more English words in the "L" letter cohort. L–Z browse
  • PlainSpell rotates a curated Word of the Day from the English corpus, a passive way to discover vocabulary. Word of the Day

PlainSpell is a reference corpus, not spelling advice. Verify unusual forms in context.

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list