# pruning

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpɹuːnɪŋ/ · frequency rank #27,254

## Definitions
1. A removal of excess material from a tree or shrub.
2. Something obtained by pruning, as a twig.
3. A method of enumeration that allows the cutting out of parts of a decision tree.

## Etymology
From prune + -ing.

## Easily confused with
- **prying** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pruning-vs-prying)
- **puking** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pruning-vs-puking)
- **punting** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pruning-vs-punting)
- **pining** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pining-vs-pruning)
- **pricing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pricing-vs-pruning)
- **proving** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/proving-vs-pruning)
- **praying** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/praying-vs-pruning)
- **pouring** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pouring-vs-pruning)
- **probing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/probing-vs-pruning)
- **pinning** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pinning-vs-pruning)
- **pausing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pausing-vs-pruning)
- **priming** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/priming-vs-pruning)
- **phoning** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/phoning-vs-pruning)
- **panning** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/panning-vs-pruning)
- **planing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/planing-vs-pruning)
- **penning** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/penning-vs-pruning)
- **pouting** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pouting-vs-pruning)
- **printing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/printing-vs-pruning)
- **pounding** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pounding-vs-pruning)
- **plunging** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/plunging-vs-pruning)

## Common misspellings (11)
`ppruning`, `prnuing`, `prruning`, `pruinng`, `prunign`, `pruningg`, `pruninng`, `prunnig`, `prunning`, `purning`, `rpuning`

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