# neon

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈni.ɒn/ · frequency rank #12,284

## Definitions
1. The chemical element (symbol Ne) with an atomic number of 10. The second of the noble gases, it is a colourless, odorless inert gas.
2. A form or sample of the element.
3. Neon signs or lights, collectively.
4. A neon tetra fish.

## Etymology
Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek νέον (néon), neuter of νέος (néos, “new”), from earlier *νέϝος (*néwos), from Proto-Hellenic *newos, from Proto-Indo-European *néwos. By surface analysis, neo- + -on (suffix used in all noble gases).

## Easily confused with
- **NN** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-nn)
- **not** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-not)
- **new** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-new)
- **now** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-now)
- **non** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-non)
- **nor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-nor)
- **net** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-net)
- **nov** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-nov)
- **nod** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-nod)
- **nun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-nun)
- **nos** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-nos)
- **NGO** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-ngo)
- **NES** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-nes)
- **nom** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-nom)
- **nox** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-nox)
- **nin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-nin)
- **NOI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-noi)
- **Noe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-noe)
- **Noh** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-noh)
- **ney** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/neon-vs-ney)

## Common misspellings (4)
`enon`, `neno`, `neonn`, `nneon`

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