# malware

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈmæl.weə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #15,216

## Definitions
1. Software which has been designed to operate in a malicious, undesirable manner.

## Etymology
From mal- + -ware.

## Easily confused with
- **mallard** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mallard-vs-malware)

## Common misspellings (10)
`amlware`, `malawre`, `mallware`, `malwaer`, `malwarre`, `malwrae`, `malwware`, `mawlare`, `mlaware`, `mmalware`

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