# ointment

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɔɪntm(ə)nt/ · frequency rank #29,768

## Definitions
1. A viscous preparation of oils and/or fats, usually containing medication, used as a treatment or as an emollient.
2. A substance used to anoint, as in religious rituals.

## Etymology
A later form (as if oint + -ment) of Middle English oinement, borrowed from Old French oignement (“an anointing”), from oigner, oindre, ongier (“to anoint”), from Latin ung(u)ō (“I anoint”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃engʷ- (“to smear, anoint”). Partly displaced native Old English sealf, whence modern salve.

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

## Common misspellings (12)
`iontment`, `oinmtent`, `oinntment`, `ointemnt`, `ointmennt`, `ointmentt`, `ointmetn`, `ointmment`, `ointmnet`, `ointtment`, `oitnment`, `onitment`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-09-03.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ointment