# parole

> English word · Noun · IPA /pəˈɹoʊl/ · frequency rank #9,933

## Definitions
1. Originally, one's oath or word of honour, given as a condition of release from custody; now specifically, describing the release of a former prisoner under certain conditions, especially the promise of good behaviour.
2. Conditional release of a prisoner (now especially before the end of a custodial sentence), or the term or state of such release; the system governing such releases.
3. A word of honor, especially given by a prisoner of war, to not engage in combat if released.
4. A watchword or code phrase; (military) a password given only to officers, distinguished from the countersign, which is given to all guards.
5. Language in use, as opposed to language as a system.
6. The permission for a foreigner who does not meet the technical requirements for a visa to be allowed to enter the U.S. on humanitarian grounds.
7. Alternative form of parol.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French parole (“word, formal promise”), from Old French parole, from Late Latin parabola (“speech”), from Ancient Greek παραβολή (parabolḗ). Doublet of parabola, parable, and palaver.

## Easily confused with
- **pole** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/parole-vs-pole)
- **prove** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/parole-vs-prove)
- **probe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/parole-vs-probe)
- **prone** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/parole-vs-prone)
- **prose** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/parole-vs-prose)
- **Poole** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/parole-vs-poole)
- **parse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/parole-vs-parse)
- **purple** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/parole-vs-purple)
- **partly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/parole-vs-partly)
- **patrol** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/parole-vs-patrol)
- **payroll** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/parole-vs-payroll)
- **patrols** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/parole-vs-patrols)
- **parsley** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/parole-vs-parsley)
- **pale** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pale-vs-parole)
- **pare** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pare-vs-parole)
- **Paolo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/paolo-vs-parole)
- **Paola** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/paola-vs-parole)
- **parade** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/parade-vs-parole)
- **parody** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/parody-vs-parole)
- **paddle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/paddle-vs-parole)

## Common misspellings (8)
`aprole`, `paorle`, `parloe`, `paroel`, `parolle`, `parrole`, `pparole`, `praole`

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