# raccoon

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɹəˈkuːn/ · frequency rank #20,470

## Definitions
1. An omnivorous, nocturnal mammal native to the Americas, of the genus Procyon, typically with a mixture of gray, brown, and black fur, a mask-like marking around the eyes and a striped tail.
2. The common raccoon (Procyon lotor).
3. Any mammal of the subfamily Procyoninae, a procyonine.
4. Any mammal of the family Procyonidae, a procyonid.
5. Any mammal superficially resembling a raccoon, such as a raccoon dog.

## Etymology
From arocoun (1608), from Powhatan ärähkun, from ärähkuněm (“he scratches with his hands”).

## Easily confused with
- **Rangoon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/raccoon-vs-rangoon)

## Common misspellings (8)
`arccoon`, `raccon`, `raccono`, `raccoonn`, `racocon`, `racoon`, `rcacoon`, `rraccoon`

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