periscope

/ˈpɛɹɪskəʊp/

//ˈpɛɹɪskəʊp// noun

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

"periscope" is a 9-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“periscope” has 13 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #34,221. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#34,221
frequency rank, English
4,417
“P” headwords
13
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - A form of viewing device that allows the viewer to see things at a different height level and usually with minimal visibility.

Corpus desk

Index EN-periscope · periscope · English

periscope · rank #34,221 · 13 variants · 0 confusables

  • FREQ-MID #34,221
  • LEN-LONG 9 letters
  • VOW-4 4 vowels
  • CONFUS-0 No pairs
  • VAR-HIGH 13 variants
  • BOOK-MID 4,417
  • PHOTO-FINISH pensioner

Nearest frequency peer: pensioner (-1 rank slots)

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Rank peers near misspelling magnet “periscope”

Same rarity band: useful when a typo lands on a peer headword

corpus weight

What this shows “periscope” sits among these FrequencyWords peers; misspelling depth is tracked separately in the edit-distance chart.

Source FrequencyWords open word-frequency list As of September 3, 2026
Key facts for periscope
PropertyValue
Headwordperiscope
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈpɛɹɪskəʊp/
Letters9
Frequency rank#34,221
Misspellings tracked13
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Frequency seat of misspelling magnet “periscope”

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

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

Ticks step logarithmically, so each one marks a roughly tenfold drop in how often the word turns up. Same rarity band neighbours include “pensioner” (#34,220), “pernicious” (#34,222), “pearly” (#34,219). Among 4,417 “P” headwords, “periscope” is #34,221. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 13 spelling variants around periscope (IPA /ˈpɛɹɪskəʊp/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #34,221 among 4,417 “P” headwords. Wiktionary lists 2 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 13 likely wrong-spelling variants for periscope, with forms such as "epriscope", "peirscope", and "pericsope". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.

Etymologically, the entry records: Formed in English from peri- + -scope. The correct English form is periscope, spelled P-E-R-I-S-C-O-P-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    A form of viewing device that allows the viewer to see things at a different height level and usually with minimal visibility.
  2. 2
    A general or comprehensive view.

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how periscope appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. The waters grew suddenly lighter, and my spirits rose accordingly. I shouted down to those below that I saw daylight ahead, and a great shout of thanksgiving reverberated through the ship. A moment later we emerged into sunlit water, and immediately I raised the periscope and looked about me upon the strangest landscape I had ever seen.
  2. […] will show it not only enlarging the periscope of knowledge, but contributing to the amelioration of the condition of unfortunate and suffering humanity […]

Etymology

Formed in English from peri- + -scope.

This word in other languages

periscopio(Español)périscope(Français)Periskop(Deutsch)periscópio(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • epriscope
  • peirscope
  • pericsope
  • perisccope
  • periscoep
  • periscoppe
  • periscpoe
  • perisocpe
  • perisscope
  • perriscope
  • persicope
  • pperiscope
  • preiscope

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of periscope - 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.

epriscope2peirscope2pericsope2perisccope1periscoep2periscoppe1periscpoe2perisocpe2
Edit distance from "periscope"

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 "periscope"?
"periscope" is spelled P-E-R-I-S-C-O-P-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈpɛɹɪskəʊp/.
What does "periscope" mean?
As a noun, "periscope" means: A form of viewing device that allows the viewer to see things at a different height level and usually with minimal visibility.
What are common misspellings of "periscope"?
Common misspellings include "epriscope", "peirscope", "pericsope", "perisccope", "periscoep". The correct spelling is "periscope".
How do you pronounce "periscope"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "periscope" is /ˈpɛɹɪskəʊp/. 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 "periscope"?
Formed in English from peri- + -scope. 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.

Similar English words by spelling shape

Same letter count and similar misspelling depth for "periscope", not the corpus desk frequency band.

Same letter count

Frequency-ranked English headwords with 9 letters (nearest by frequency rank).

pensioner#34,220microchip#34,195reshaping#34,264sauvignon#34,272

Similar misspelling depth

Headwords with a similar count of attested misspellings (13 here; floor ≥5).

mumbling13 variantsMauritania13 variantsshamrock13 variantsshelving13 variants

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list