# mara

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈmɑːɹə/ · frequency rank #16,072

## Definitions
1. A nightmare; a spectre or wraith-like creature in Germanic and particularly Scandinavian folklore; a female demon who torments people in sleep by crouching on their chests or stomachs, or by causing terrifying visions.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Old Norse mara, from Proto-Germanic *marǭ, cognate with Old English mare or mære. Doublet of mare. See nightmare.

## Easily confused with
- **Mr** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-mr)
- **may** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-may)
- **Mrs** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-mrs)
- **max** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-max)
- **MIA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-mia)
- **mat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-mat)
- **MMA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-mma)
- **MRI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-mri)
- **mir** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-mir)
- **MLA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-mla)
- **mer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-mer)
- **MOR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-mor)
- **Mau** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-mau)
- **moa** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-moa)
- **maw** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-maw)
- **MSA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-msa)
- **MTA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-mta)
- **Mya** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-mya)
- **MDA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-mda)
- **MRT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mara-vs-mrt)

## Common misspellings (5)
`amra`, `maar`, `marra`, `mmara`, `mraa`

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