probability

/ˌpɹɒbəˈbɪlɪti/

//ˌpɹɒbəˈbɪlɪti// noun

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

"probability" is a 11-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“probability” has 17 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #6,952. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#6,952
frequency rank, English
4,417
“P” headwords
17
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - The state of being probable.

Corpus desk

Index EN-probability · probability · English

probability · rank #6,952 · 17 variants · 0 confusables

  • FREQ-COMMON #6,952
  • LEN-MEGA 11 letters
  • VOW-5 5 vowels
  • CONFUS-0 No pairs
  • VAR-HIGH 17 variants
  • BOOK-MID 4,417
  • PHOTO-FINISH premises

Nearest frequency peer: premises (-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.

Frequency neighbourhood for “probability”

Lower corpus rank = more everyday usage (inverted bar length for readability)

corpus weight

What this shows Bars show where “probability” sits against the nearest ranked English headwords in the FrequencyWords band, not a reprint of letter-browse containment.

Source FrequencyWords open word-frequency list As of September 3, 2026
Key facts for probability
PropertyValue
Headwordprobability
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˌpɹɒbəˈbɪlɪti/
Letters11
Frequency rank#6,952
Misspellings tracked17
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “probability” sits in English frequency

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

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

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 17 spelling variants around probability (IPA /ˌpɹɒbəˈbɪlɪti/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #6,952 among 4,417 “P” headwords. Wiktionary lists 4 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 17 likely wrong-spelling variants for probability, with forms such as "porbability", "pprobability", and "prboability". Every one of these variants traces to a single-character edit -- an added or dropped letter, a swapped consonant, or a vowel swap -- the kind of slip a spell-checker is built to catch. We don't track a confusable pairing for this entry, since nothing in our dataset looks or sounds close enough to cause mix-ups.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle French probabilité, from Latin probābilitās (“probability, credibility”), from probābilis (“probable, credible”). The correct English form is probability, spelled P-R-O-B-A-B-I-L-I-T-Y.

Definition

  1. 1
    The state of being probable.
  2. 2
    An event that is likely to occur.
  3. 3
    The relative likelihood of an event happening.
  4. 4
    A number, between 0 and 1, expressing the precise likelihood of an event happening.

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

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

  1. For, a man may with as great probability derive the Scots pedigree from the Gods, as from Scota that ſuppoſed and counterfeit daughter of the Ægyptian King Pharao, wedded (forſooth) unto Gaithelus, the ſonne of Cecrops founder of Athens. But, as this conceit ariſing from the unskilfulneſſe of Antiquitie, is of the better ſort of ingenuous Scots rejected: […]
  2. Thus, firſt Traditions were a proof alone; / Cou’d we be certain ſuch they were ſo known: / But ſince ſome Flaws in long deſcent may be, / They make not Truth but Probability.

Etymology

From Middle French probabilité, from Latin probābilitās (“probability, credibility”), from probābilis (“probable, credible”).

Synonyms

likelihoodlikelinessprobablenessprobality

This word in other languages

probabilidad(Español)probabilité(Français)Wahrscheinlichkeit(Deutsch)probabilidade(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • porbability
  • pprobability
  • prboability
  • proabbility
  • probabbility
  • probabiilty
  • probabilitty
  • probabilityy
  • probabiliyt
  • probabillity
  • probabiltiy
  • probabliity
  • probaiblity
  • probbability
  • probbaility
  • prrobability
  • rpobability

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of probability - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

porbability2pprobability1prboability2proabbility2probabbility1probabiilty2probabilitty1probabilityy1
Edit distance from "probability"

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.

PlainSpell is rendered directly from structured Wiktionary extracts and open word-frequency lists, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of September 3, 2026. Primary sources: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) and FrequencyWords.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "probability"?
"probability" is spelled P-R-O-B-A-B-I-L-I-T-Y. The IPA pronunciation is /ˌpɹɒbəˈbɪlɪti/.
What does "probability" mean?
As a noun, "probability" means: The state of being probable.
What are common misspellings of "probability"?
Common misspellings include "porbability", "pprobability", "prboability", "proabbility", "probabbility". The correct spelling is "probability".
How do you pronounce "probability"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "probability" is /ˌpɹɒbəˈbɪlɪti/. 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 "probability"?
From Middle French probabilité, from Latin probābilitās (“probability, credibility”), from probābilis (“probable, credible”). 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 "probability", not the corpus desk frequency band.

Same letter count

Frequency-ranked English headwords with 11 letters (nearest by frequency rank).

resignation#6,956territories#6,969functioning#6,910flexibility#6,906

Similar misspelling depth

Headwords with a similar count of attested misspellings (17 here; floor ≥5).

convenience17 variantscontinental17 variantsuncertainty17 variantsidentifying17 variants

What to do next

You've looked up "probability". Here's where to go from here.

  • 17 edit-distance misspelling variants are generated for spell-check research on this headword. See variants
  • Usage frequency rank #6,952 among English headwords in this corpus. Corpus statistics
  • Browse more English words in the "P" letter cohort. P–Z browse
  • PlainSpell rotates a curated Word of the Day from the English corpus, a passive way to discover vocabulary. Word of the Day

PlainSpell is a reference corpus, not spelling advice. Verify unusual forms in context.

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

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

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list