# plead

> English word · Verb · IPA /pliːd/ · frequency rank #12,475

## Definitions
1. To present (an argument or a plea), especially in a legal case.
2. To beg, beseech, or implore, especially emotionally.
3. To offer by way of excuse.
4. To discuss by arguments.

## Etymology
From Middle English pleden, plaiden, from Old French plaider (“to plead, offer a plea”), from plait, from Medieval Latin placitum (“a decree, sentence, suit, plea, etc.", in Classical Latin, "an opinion, determination, prescription, order; literally, that which is pleasing, pleasure”), neuter of placitus, past participle of placeō (“to please”). Cognate with Spanish pleitear (“to litigate, take to court”).

## Easily confused with
- **pled** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/plead-vs-pled)
- **pleas** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/plead-vs-pleas)
- **plebs** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/plead-vs-plebs)
- **plied** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/plead-vs-plied)
- **please** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/plead-vs-please)
- **pleased** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/plead-vs-pleased)
- **pleaded** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/plead-vs-pleaded)
- **pleated** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/plead-vs-pleated)
- **pad** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pad-vs-plead)
- **pea** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pea-vs-plead)
- **PLA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pla-vs-plead)
- **ped** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ped-vs-plead)
- **play** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/play-vs-plead)
- **plan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/plan-vs-plead)
- **peak** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peak-vs-plead)
- **plea** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/plea-vs-plead)
- **peas** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peas-vs-plead)
- **pear** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pear-vs-plead)
- **peat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peat-vs-plead)
- **peed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peed-vs-plead)

## Common misspellings (7)
`lpead`, `pelad`, `plaed`, `pleadd`, `pleda`, `pllead`, `pplead`

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