mortify

/ˈmɔːtɪfaɪ/

//ˈmɔːtɪfaɪ// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"mortify" is a 7-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“mortify” is outside the top-ranked English vocabulary, used as a verb - the kind of word writers most often double-check.

Unranked
below top-frequency English
7
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To discipline (one's body, appetites etc.) by suppressing desires; to practise abstinence on.

Key facts for mortify
PropertyValue
Headwordmortify
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ˈmɔːtɪfaɪ/
Letters7
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “mortify” sits in English frequency

mortify falls outside the top-100,000 ranked English words, the long-tail zone of technical, archaic, or low-frequency vocabulary, exactly where readers second-guess spellings most.

Beyond rank #100,000. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for mortify is 7 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈmɔːtɪfaɪ/. It sits outside the most-frequent rank tiers, which is often why uncommon words generate more spelling variants per reader. Wiktionary records 12 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

The misspelling generator found no plausible variants for mortify, which points to an orthography that plays by predictable English rules. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Anglo-Norman mortifier, Middle French mortifier, from Late Latin mortificō (“cause death”), from Latin mors (“death”) + -ficō (“-fy”). The correct English form is mortify, spelled M-O-R-T-I-F-Y.

Definition

  1. 1
    To discipline (one's body, appetites etc.) by suppressing desires; to practise abstinence on.
  2. 2
    To injure the dignity of; to embarrass; to humiliate.
  3. 3
    To kill.
  4. 4
    To reduce the potency of; to nullify; to deaden, neutralize.
  5. 5
    To affect with vexation or chagrin.
  6. 6
    To scare.
  7. 7
    To humble; to depress.
  8. 8
    To grant in mortmain.
  9. 9
    To lose vitality.
  10. 10
    To kill off (living tissue etc.); to make necrotic.
  11. 11
    To gangrene.
  12. 12
    To be subdued.

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman mortifier, Middle French mortifier, from Late Latin mortificō (“cause death”), from Latin mors (“death”) + -ficō (“-fy”).

This word in other languages

mortificar(Español)mortifier(Français)abtöten(Deutsch)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "mortify"?
"mortify" is spelled M-O-R-T-I-F-Y. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈmɔːtɪfaɪ/.
What does "mortify" mean?
As a verb, "mortify" means: To discipline (one's body, appetites etc.) by suppressing desires; to practise abstinence on.
How do you pronounce "mortify"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "mortify" is /ˈmɔːtɪfaɪ/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "mortify"?
From Anglo-Norman mortifier, Middle French mortifier, from Late Latin mortificō (“cause death”), from Latin mors (“death”) + -ficō (“-fy”). See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “mortify”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is M-O-R-T-I-F-Y - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈmɔːtɪfaɪ/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list