# maintain

> English word · Verb · IPA /meɪnˈteɪn/ · frequency rank #2,260

## Definitions
1. To keep up; to preserve; to uphold (a state, condition etc.).
2. To declare or affirm (a clause) to be true; to assert.
3. To keep in good condition and working order.
4. To support (someone), to back up or assist (someone) in an action.

## Etymology
From Middle English mayntenen, from Old French maintenir, from Late Latin manūteneō, manūtenēre (“I support”), from Latin manū (“with/in/by the hand”, ablative of manus) + tenēre (“to hold”).

## Easily confused with
- **mountain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/maintain-vs-mountain)
- **maintained** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/maintain-vs-maintained)

## Common misspellings (11)
`amintain`, `mainatin`, `mainntain`, `maintainn`, `maintani`, `maintian`, `mainttain`, `maitnain`, `manitain`, `miantain`, `mmaintain`

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