# prevent

> English word · Verb · IPA /pɹɪˈvɛnt/ · frequency rank #1,701

## Definitions
1. To stop (an outcome); to keep from (doing something).
2. To take preventative measures.
3. To come before; to precede.
4. To outdo, surpass.
5. To be beforehand with; to anticipate.

## Etymology
From Middle English preventen (“anticipate”), from Latin praeventus, perfect passive participle of praeveniō (“I anticipate”), from prae (“before”) + veniō (“I come”).

## Easily confused with
- **proven** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/prevent-vs-proven)
- **prudent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/prevent-vs-prudent)
- **prevented** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/prevent-vs-prevented)
- **preset** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/preset-vs-prevent)
- **present** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/present-vs-prevent)
- **pretend** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pretend-vs-prevent)
- **pretext** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pretext-vs-prevent)
- **prefect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/prefect-vs-prevent)
- **preheat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/preheat-vs-prevent)
- **precept** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/precept-vs-prevent)
- **presents** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/presents-vs-prevent)
- **prevalent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/prevalent-vs-prevent)

## Common misspellings (11)
`pervent`, `pprevent`, `preevnt`, `prevennt`, `preventt`, `prevetn`, `prevnet`, `prevvent`, `prrevent`, `prveent`, `rpevent`

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