# refraction

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɹəˈfɹækʃən/ · frequency rank #38,582

## Definitions
1. The turning or bending of any wave, such as a light or sound wave, when it passes from one medium into another of different optical density.
2. The degree to which a metal or compound can withstand heat

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin refrāctiō.

## Easily confused with
- **refractive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refraction-vs-refractive)
- **retraction** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/refraction-vs-retraction)
- **reaction** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reaction-vs-refraction)
- **reflection** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reflection-vs-refraction)

## Common misspellings (16)
`erfraction`, `refarction`, `reffraction`, `refracction`, `refraciton`, `refracsion`, `refractino`, `refractionn`, `refractoin`, `refracttion`, `refratcion`, `refrcation`, `refrraction`, `rerfaction`, `rferaction`, `rrefraction`

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