# proximal

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈpɹɒksɪməl/ · frequency rank #23,371

## Definitions
1. Closer to the point of attachment or observation.
2. Facing toward another tooth. The proximal surfaces of a tooth are those that touch or are close to neighboring teeth.
3. Closer to the speaker.

## Etymology
From Latin proximus, superlative form of prope (“near, nigh”).

## Easily confused with
- **proximate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/proximal-vs-proximate)
- **primal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/primal-vs-proximal)
- **prodigal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/prodigal-vs-proximal)

## Common misspellings (12)
`porximal`, `pproximal`, `proixmal`, `proxiaml`, `proximall`, `proximla`, `proximmal`, `proxmial`, `proxximal`, `prroximal`, `prxoimal`, `rpoximal`

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