# obstacle

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɒbstəkəl/ · frequency rank #10,897

## Definitions
1. Something that impedes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress, either physically or figuratively

## Etymology
From Middle English obstacle, from Old French obstacle, from Latin obstāculum.

## Common misspellings (12)
`bostacle`, `obbstacle`, `obsatcle`, `obsstacle`, `obstaccle`, `obstacel`, `obstaclle`, `obstalce`, `obstcale`, `obsttacle`, `obtsacle`, `osbtacle`

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