redeem

/ɹɪˈdiːm/

//ɹɪˈdiːm// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

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

The verdict

“redeem” is a moderately-common English word, ranked #14,397 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#14,397
frequency rank, English
6
letters
8
tracked misspellings
2
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To recover ownership of something by buying it back.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

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

redeem vs Renée
33% similar
redeem vs redeemer
75% similar

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

Key facts for redeem
PropertyValue
Headwordredeem
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ɹɪˈdiːm/
Letters6
Frequency rank#14,397
Misspellings tracked8
Confusable pairs2
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “redeem” 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). redeem 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 redeem is 6 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ɹɪˈdiːm/. Corpus data places it at rank #14,397 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 12 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 8 likely wrong-spelling variants for redeem, with forms such as "erdeem", "rdeeem", and "reddeem". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 2 confusable-pair relationships, "Renée", "redeemer", where similar look or sound leads writers to substitute one word for another in context.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English redemen, modified from Old French redimer, from Latin redimō (“release; obviate; atone for”), itself from red- (“back; again”) + emō (“buy; gain, take, procure”). The correct English form is redeem, spelled R-E-D-E-E-M.

Definition

  1. 1
    To recover ownership of something by buying it back.
  2. 2
    To liberate by payment of a ransom.
  3. 3
    To set free by force.
  4. 4
    To save, rescue.
  5. 5
    To clear, release from debt or blame.
  6. 6
    To expiate, atone (for).
  7. 7
    To convert (some bond or security) into cash.
  8. 8
    To save from a state of sin (and from its consequences).
  9. 9
    To repair, restore.
  10. 10
    To reform, change (for the better).
  11. 11
    To restore the honour, worth, or reputation of oneself or something.
  12. 12
    To reclaim.

Etymology

From Middle English redemen, modified from Old French redimer, from Latin redimō (“release; obviate; atone for”), itself from red- (“back; again”) + emō (“buy; gain, take, procure”).

Synonyms

buy backrepurchase

Antonyms

abandon

This word in other languages

redimir(Español)racheter(Français)zurückkaufen(Deutsch)resgatar(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: erdeem,rdeeem,reddeem,redeemm,redem,redeme,reedem,rredeem

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

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

erdeem2rdeeem2reddeem1redeemm1redem1redeme2reedem2rredeem1
Edit distance from "redeem"

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 "redeem"?
"redeem" is spelled R-E-D-E-E-M. The IPA pronunciation is /ɹɪˈdiːm/.
What does "redeem" mean?
As a verb, "redeem" means: To recover ownership of something by buying it back.
What words are commonly confused with "redeem"?
"redeem" is commonly confused with "Renée", "redeemer". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "redeem"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "redeem" is /ɹɪˈdiːm/. 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 "redeem"?
From Middle English redemen, modified from Old French redimer, from Latin redimō (“release; obviate; atone for”), itself from red- (“back; again”) + emō (“buy; gain, take, procure”). 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 “redeem”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is R-E-D-E-E-M - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ɹɪˈdiːm/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “Renée” - see the side-by-side comparison. redeem vs Renée
  • 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