Python

/ˈpaɪθən/

//ˈpaɪθən// name

"python" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“Python” is a regularly-used English word, ranked #9,943 in English word frequency and used as a proper noun.

#9,943
frequency rank, English
6
letters
10
tracked misspellings
9
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - The earth-dragon of Delphi, represented as a serpent, killed by Apollo.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

Python vs pythons
71% similar
Python vs Paton
67% similar
Python vs pylon
50% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for Python
PropertyValue
HeadwordPython
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechProper noun
IPA/ˈpaɪθən/
Letters6
Frequency rank#9,943
Misspellings tracked10
Confusable pairs9
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “Python” 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). Python 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 Python is 6 letters long, classified as a proper noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈpaɪθən/. Corpus data places it at rank #9,943 in overall English word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 2 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 10 likely wrong-spelling variants for Python, with forms such as "ppython", "ptyhon", and "pyhton". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. It also participates in 9 confusable-pair relationships, "pythons", "Paton", "pylon", and more, where similar look or sound leads writers to substitute one word for another in context.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Ancient Greek Πύθων (Púthōn), from Πῡθώ (Pūthṓ), the early name of Delphi, from πύθω (púthō, “to rot, to decay”). The programming language is named after Monty Python. The correct English form is Python, spelled P-Y-T-H-O-N.

Definition

  1. 1
    The earth-dragon of Delphi, represented as a serpent, killed by Apollo.
  2. 2
    An interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language invented by Guido van Rossum.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek Πύθων (Púthōn), from Πῡθώ (Pūthṓ), the early name of Delphi, from πύθω (púthō, “to rot, to decay”). The programming language is named after Monty Python.

This word in other languages

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: ppython,ptyhon,pyhton,pythhon,pythno,pythonn,pytohn,pytthon,pyython,ypthon

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

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

ppython1ptyhon2pyhton2pythhon1pythno2pythonn1pytohn2pytthon1
Edit distance from "Python"

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 "Python"?
"Python" is spelled P-Y-T-H-O-N. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈpaɪθən/.
What does "Python" mean?
As a proper noun, "Python" means: The earth-dragon of Delphi, represented as a serpent, killed by Apollo.
What words are commonly confused with "Python"?
"Python" is commonly confused with "pythons", "Paton", "pylon". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "Python"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "Python" is /ˈpaɪθən/. 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 "Python"?
From Ancient Greek Πύθων (Púthōn), from Πῡθώ (Pūthṓ), the early name of Delphi, from πύθω (púthō, “to rot, to decay”). The programming language is named after Monty Python. 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 “Python”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is P-Y-T-H-O-N - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈpaɪθən/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “pythons” - see the side-by-side comparison. Python vs pythons
  • 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