otherworldly

/ˌʌðəˈwɜːldli/

//ˌʌðəˈwɜːldli// adj

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

"otherworldly" is a 12-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“otherworldly” has 20 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #35,443. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#35,443
frequency rank, English
15,494
“O” headwords
20
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - Of, concerned with, or preoccupied with a world different from the tangible world, especially a fantasy, imaginary, or mystical world.

Key facts for otherworldly
PropertyValue
Headwordotherworldly
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechAdjective
IPA/ˌʌðəˈwɜːldli/
Letters12
Frequency rank#35,443
Misspellings tracked20
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “otherworldly” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). otherworldly lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 20 spelling variants around otherworldly (IPA /ˌʌðəˈwɜːldli/), anadjective. Corpus frequency is #35,443 among 15,494 “O” headwords. Wiktionary lists 4 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 20 likely wrong-spelling variants for otherworldly, with forms such as "ohterworldly", "otehrworldly", and "otherowrldly". Every one of these variants traces to a single-character edit -- an added or dropped letter, a swapped consonant, or a vowel swap -- the kind of slip a spell-checker is built to catch. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, which tends to mean the word is visually distinctive enough to stand on its own.

Etymologically, the entry records: From other world (“a world beyond death; a world other than the everyday world”) + -ly (suffix meaning having the likeness of, resembling forming adjectives). The correct English form is otherworldly, spelled O-T-H-E-R-W-O-R-L-D-L-Y.

Definition

  1. 1
    Of, concerned with, or preoccupied with a world different from the tangible world, especially a fantasy, imaginary, or mystical world.
  2. 2
    Of, concerned with, or preoccupied with a world different from the tangible world, especially a fantasy, imaginary, or mystical world.
  3. 3
    Of, concerned with, or preoccupied with spiritual matters.
  4. 4
    Of or relating to the imagination or intellect.

Etymology

From other world (“a world beyond death; a world other than the everyday world”) + -ly (suffix meaning having the likeness of, resembling forming adjectives).

This word in other languages

jenseitig(Deutsch)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • ohterworldly
  • otehrworldly
  • otherowrldly
  • otherrworldly
  • otherwolrdly
  • otherwordlly
  • otherworlddly
  • otherworldlly
  • otherworldlyy
  • otherworldyl
  • otherworlldly
  • otherworlldy
  • otherworrldly
  • otherwroldly
  • otherwworldly
  • othewrorldly
  • othherworldly
  • othreworldly
  • ottherworldly
  • toherworldly

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of otherworldly - counted as single-character edits (an insertion, a deletion, or a substituted letter). The larger the bar, the easier the typo is to spot; one-edit slips are the ones that sneak past readers.

ohterworldly2otehrworldly2otherowrldly2otherrworldly1otherwolrdly2otherwordlly2otherworlddly1otherworldlly1
Edit distance from "otherworldly"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "otherworldly"?
"otherworldly" is spelled O-T-H-E-R-W-O-R-L-D-L-Y. The IPA pronunciation is /ˌʌðəˈwɜːldli/.
What does "otherworldly" mean?
As an adjective, "otherworldly" means: Of, concerned with, or preoccupied with a world different from the tangible world, especially a fantasy, imaginary, or mystical world.
What are common misspellings of "otherworldly"?
Common misspellings include "ohterworldly", "otehrworldly", "otherowrldly", "otherrworldly", "otherwolrdly". The correct spelling is "otherworldly".
How do you pronounce "otherworldly"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "otherworldly" is /ˌʌðəˈwɜːldli/. 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 "otherworldly"?
From other world (“a world beyond death; a world other than the everyday world”) + -ly (suffix meaning having the likeness of, resembling forming adjectives). 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 “otherworldly”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is O-T-H-E-R-W-O-R-L-D-L-Y - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˌʌðəˈwɜːldli/ (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

Same frequency band

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