# preterm

> English word · Adjective · frequency rank #39,491

## Definitions
1. Of a premature birth or baby.

## Etymology
From pre- + term.

## Easily confused with
- **pretext** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/preterm-vs-pretext)
- **Peter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/peter-vs-preterm)
- **prefer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/prefer-vs-preterm)
- **pretend** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pretend-vs-preterm)

## Common misspellings (11)
`perterm`, `ppreterm`, `preetrm`, `pretemr`, `pretermm`, `preterrm`, `pretrem`, `pretterm`, `prreterm`, `prteerm`, `rpeterm`

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