rhapsody

/ˈɹæpsədi/

//ˈɹæpsədi// noun

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

"rhapsody" is a 8-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“rhapsody” has 13 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #28,697. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#28,697
frequency rank, English
21,470
“R” headwords
13
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - An epic poem, or part of one, suitable for uninterrupted recitation.

Key facts for rhapsody
PropertyValue
Headwordrhapsody
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈɹæpsədi/
Letters8
Frequency rank#28,697
Misspellings tracked13
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “rhapsody” 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). rhapsody lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 13 spelling variants around rhapsody (IPA /ˈɹæpsədi/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #28,697 among 21,470 “R” headwords. Wiktionary lists 5 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 13 likely wrong-spelling variants for rhapsody, with forms such as "hrapsody", "rahpsody", and "rhaposdy". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. No confusable counterpart is on file for this word, which typically means the spelling is too distinctive to be mistaken for another word.

Etymologically, the entry records: The noun is derived from Latin rhapsōdia (“part of an epic poem suitable for uninterrupted recitation”), from Koine Greek ῥαψῳδία (rhapsōidía, “part of an epic poem suitable for uninterrupted recitation; rigmarole”), Ancient Greek ῥαψῳδία (rhapsōidía, “comp… The correct English form is rhapsody, spelled R-H-A-P-S-O-D-Y.

Definition

  1. 1
    An epic poem, or part of one, suitable for uninterrupted recitation.
  2. 2
    An exaggeratedly enthusiastic or exalted expression of feeling in speech or writing.
  3. 3
    An instrumental composition of irregular form, often incorporating improvisation.
  4. 4
    A random collection or medley; a miscellany; also, a confused string of stories, words, etc.
  5. 5
    A literary composition consisting of miscellaneous works.

Etymology

The noun is derived from Latin rhapsōdia (“part of an epic poem suitable for uninterrupted recitation”), from Koine Greek ῥαψῳδία (rhapsōidía, “part of an epic poem suitable for uninterrupted recitation; rigmarole”), Ancient Greek ῥαψῳδία (rhapsōidía, “composition or recitation of Epic poetry”), from ῥαψῳδός (rhapsōidós, “composer or performer of Epic poetry”) + -ῐ́ᾱ (-ĭ́ā, suffix forming feminine abstract nouns). Ῥαψῳδός (Rhapsōidós) is derived from ῥᾰ́πτω (rhắptō, “to sew”) (possibly from Proto-Indo-European *werb- (“to bend; to turn”)) + ᾠδή (ōidḗ, “ode; song”) (ultimately from Proto-Hellenic *awoidā́ (“song”)) + -ος (-os, suffix forming o-grade action nouns). Sense 2.2 (“instrumental composition of irregular form”) probably developed from sense 2.1 (“exaggeratedly enthusiastic or exalted expression of feeling in speech or writing”), and both of these senses may have been influenced by rapture (“extreme excitement, happiness, or pleasure”), the latter being a quality associated with the senses. Sense 2.3 (“literary composition consisting of miscellaneous works”) is borrowed from Middle French rhapsodie (modern French rhapsodie), from Latin rhapsōdia: see above. The verb is derived from the noun. Cognates * French rhapsodie (“instrumental composition of irregular form”) * German Rhapsodie (“instrumental composition of irregular form”)

This word in other languages

rapsodia(Español)rhapsodie(Français)Rhapsodie(Deutsch)rapsódia(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • hrapsody
  • rahpsody
  • rhaposdy
  • rhappsody
  • rhapsdoy
  • rhapsoddy
  • rhapsodyy
  • rhapsoyd
  • rhapssody
  • rhaspody
  • rhhapsody
  • rhpasody
  • rrhapsody

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of rhapsody - counted as single-character edits (an insertion, a deletion, or a substituted letter). The larger the bar, the easier the typo is to spot; one-edit slips are the ones that sneak past readers.

hrapsody2rahpsody2rhaposdy2rhappsody1rhapsdoy2rhapsoddy1rhapsodyy1rhapsoyd2
Edit distance from "rhapsody"

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 "rhapsody"?
"rhapsody" is spelled R-H-A-P-S-O-D-Y. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈɹæpsədi/.
What does "rhapsody" mean?
As a noun, "rhapsody" means: An epic poem, or part of one, suitable for uninterrupted recitation.
What are common misspellings of "rhapsody"?
Common misspellings include "hrapsody", "rahpsody", "rhaposdy", "rhappsody", "rhapsdoy". The correct spelling is "rhapsody".
How do you pronounce "rhapsody"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "rhapsody" is /ˈɹæpsədi/. 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 "rhapsody"?
The noun is derived from Latin rhapsōdia (“part of an epic poem suitable for uninterrupted recitation”), from Koine Greek ῥαψῳδία (rhapsōidía, “part of an epic poem suitable for uninterrupted recitation; rigmarole”), Ancient Greek ῥαψῳδία (rhapsōi... 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 “rhapsody”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is R-H-A-P-S-O-D-Y - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈɹæpsədi/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Same frequency band

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