# muscle

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈmʌs.əl/ · frequency rank #3,379

## Definitions
1. A contractile form of tissue which animals use to effect movement.
2. An organ composed of muscle tissue.
3. A well-developed physique, in which the muscles are enlarged from exercise.
4. Strength, force.
5. Hired strongmen or bodyguards.

## Etymology
From Middle English muscle, muscule, muskylle, and in part from Middle French muscle, from Latin mūsculus (“a muscle”, literally “little mouse”) because of the mouselike appearance of some muscles, from mūs (“mouse”). Doublet of mussel. More at mouse.

## Easily confused with
- **muse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/muscle-vs-muse)
- **muzzle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/muscle-vs-muzzle)
- **muscles** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/muscle-vs-muscles)
- **mussel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/muscle-vs-mussel)
- **mule** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mule-vs-muscle)
- **Muscat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/muscat-vs-muscle)
- **mumble** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mumble-vs-muscle)
- **muddle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/muddle-vs-muscle)
- **Muncie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/muncie-vs-muscle)

## Common misspellings (9)
`mmuscle`, `msucle`, `mucsle`, `musccle`, `muscel`, `musclle`, `muslce`, `musscle`, `umscle`

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