# pyrite

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpaɪˌɹaɪt/ · frequency rank #49,574

## Definitions
1. The common mineral iron disulfide (FeS₂), of a pale brass-yellow color and brilliant metallic luster, crystallizing in the isometric system.
2. Any metallic-looking sulphide, such as the above, which is the most common.
3. (usually as a plural: pyrites) Any metal dichalcogenide that is isostructural to the common mineral.

## Etymology
Recorded since 1555, from Old French pyrite (12th century), from Latin pȳritēs, from Ancient Greek πυρίτης λίθος (purítēs líthos, “stone of fire, flint”) (so called because it glitters), notably the first part: adjective πυρίτης (purítēs, “of or in fire”), from πῦρ (pûr, “fire”). Analyzable as pyr- + -ite

## Easily confused with
- **pyre** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pyre-vs-pyrite)
- **price** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/price-vs-pyrite)
- **prime** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/prime-vs-pyrite)
- **prize** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/prize-vs-pyrite)
- **pride** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pride-vs-pyrite)
- **Porte** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/porte-vs-pyrite)
- **pirate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pirate-vs-pyrite)
- **polite** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/polite-vs-pyrite)
- **purity** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/purity-vs-pyrite)
- **petite** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/petite-vs-pyrite)
- **parity** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/parity-vs-pyrite)

## Common misspellings (9)
`ppyrite`, `pryite`, `pyirte`, `pyriet`, `pyritte`, `pyrrite`, `pyrtie`, `pyyrite`, `yprite`

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