# modicum

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈmɒdɪkəm/ · frequency rank #41,256

## Definitions
1. A modest, small, or trifling amount.

## Etymology
From Middle English modicum, from Latin modicum (“a little, a small amount”), a noun use of the neuter form of modicus (“moderate; restrained, temperate; reasonable”) + -cum (suffix forming neuter nouns). Modicus is derived from modus (“a measure; a bound, limit”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *med- (“to measure”)) + -icus (suffix meaning ‘of or pertaining to’ forming adjectives).
The plural form modica is derived from Latin modica.

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

## Common misspellings (10)
`mdoicum`, `mmodicum`, `modcium`, `moddicum`, `modiccum`, `modicmu`, `modicumm`, `modiucm`, `moidcum`, `omdicum`

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