# lottery

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈlɒtəɹi/ · frequency rank #7,154

## Definitions
1. A scheme for the distribution of prizes by lot or chance, especially a gaming scheme in which one or more tickets bearing particular numbers draw prizes, the other tickets are blanks.
2. Something decided by chance.
3. Allotment; a thing allotted.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Italian lotteria, from the same root as Old English hlot (cognate with English lot). Compare French loterie (from Middle Dutch loterie). By surface analysis, lot + -ery.

## Easily confused with
- **lowery** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lottery-vs-lowery)
- **lotte** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lotte-vs-lottery)
- **letter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/letter-vs-lottery)
- **latter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/latter-vs-lottery)
- **litter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/litter-vs-lottery)
- **letters** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/letters-vs-lottery)
- **latterly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/latterly-vs-lottery)

## Common misspellings (9)
`llottery`, `lotery`, `lotetry`, `lotterry`, `lotteryy`, `lotteyr`, `lottrey`, `ltotery`, `olttery`

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