propagate

/ˈpɹɒpəˌɡeɪt/

//ˈpɹɒpəˌɡeɪt// verb

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

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

The verdict

“propagate” is a moderately-common English word, ranked #25,894 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#25,894
frequency rank, English
9
letters
13
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To cause to continue or multiply by generation, or successive production.

Key facts for propagate
PropertyValue
Headwordpropagate
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ˈpɹɒpəˌɡeɪt/
Letters9
Frequency rank#25,894
Misspellings tracked13
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “propagate” 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). propagate lands here:

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

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

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for propagate is 9 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈpɹɒpəˌɡeɪt/. Corpus data places it at rank #25,894 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 9 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 13 likely wrong-spelling variants for propagate, with forms such as "porpagate", "ppropagate", and "proapgate". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. No confusable counterpart is on file for this word, which typically means the spelling is too distinctive to be mistaken for another word.

Etymologically, the entry records: First attested in 1535; from Latin prōpāgātus, perfect passive participle of prōpāgō, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix). Participial usage up until Early Modern English. The correct English form is propagate, spelled P-R-O-P-A-G-A-T-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    To cause to continue or multiply by generation, or successive production.
  2. 2
    To cause to spread to extend; to impel or continue forward in space.
  3. 3
    To spread from person to person; to extend the knowledge of; to originate and spread; to carry from place to place; to disseminate.
  4. 4
    To multiply; to increase.
  5. 5
    To generate; to produce.
  6. 6
    To be propagated; to travel.
  7. 7
    To produce young; to be produced or multiplied by generation, or by new shoots or plants.
  8. 8
    To take effect on all relevant devices in a network.
  9. 9
    To cause to take effect on all relevant devices in a network.

Etymology

First attested in 1535; from Latin prōpāgātus, perfect passive participle of prōpāgō, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix). Participial usage up until Early Modern English.

This word in other languages

propagar(Español)verbreiten(Deutsch)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: porpagate,ppropagate,proapgate,propaagte,propagaet,propagatte,propaggate,propagtae,propgaate,proppagate,prpoagate,prropagate,rpopagate

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of propagate - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

porpagate2ppropagate1proapgate2propaagte2propagaet2propagatte1propaggate1propagtae2
Edit distance from "propagate"

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 "propagate"?
"propagate" is spelled P-R-O-P-A-G-A-T-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈpɹɒpəˌɡeɪt/.
What does "propagate" mean?
As a verb, "propagate" means: To cause to continue or multiply by generation, or successive production.
What are common misspellings of "propagate"?
Common misspellings include "porpagate", "ppropagate", "proapgate", "propaagte", "propagaet". The correct spelling is "propagate".
How do you pronounce "propagate"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "propagate" is /ˈpɹɒpəˌɡeɪt/. 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 "propagate"?
First attested in 1535; from Latin prōpāgātus, perfect passive participle of prōpāgō, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix). Participial usage up until Early Modern English. 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.

Using “propagate”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is P-R-O-P-A-G-A-T-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈpɹɒpəˌɡeɪt/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
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 FrequencyWords open word-frequency list