# rudder

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɹʌdə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #22,495

## Definitions
1. An underwater vane used to steer a vessel. The rudder is controlled by means of a wheel, tiller or other apparatus (modern vessels can be controlled even with a joystick or an autopilot).
2. A control surface on the vertical stabilizer of a fixed-wing aircraft or an autogyro. On some craft, the entire vertical stabilizer comprises the rudder. The rudder is controlled by foot-operated control pedals.
3. A riddle or sieve.
4. That which resembles a rudder as a guide or governor; that which guides or governs the course.
5. The tail of an otter.

## Etymology
From Middle English rodder, rother, ruder, from Old English rōþor (“oar, rudder”), from Proto-West Germanic *rōþr, from Proto-Germanic *rōþrą (“oar, rudder”) (compare Dutch and West Frisian roer, German Ruder), from Proto-Germanic *rōaną, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁reh₁- (“to row”) + Proto-Germanic *-þrą, *-þraz, instrumental suffix. Akin to Old English rōwan (“to row”). More at rōwan, -þor.

## Easily confused with
- **rude** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rudder-vs-rude)
- **ruler** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rudder-vs-ruler)
- **ryder** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rudder-vs-ryder)
- **ruddy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rudder-vs-ruddy)
- **runner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rudder-vs-runner)
- **rusher** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rudder-vs-rusher)
- **rutter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rudder-vs-rutter)
- **rudd** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rudd-vs-rudder)
- **rider** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rider-vs-rudder)
- **reader** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reader-vs-rudder)
- **rubber** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rubber-vs-rudder)
- **render** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/render-vs-rudder)
- **ridden** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ridden-vs-rudder)
- **raider** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/raider-vs-rudder)
- **Rodger** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rodger-vs-rudder)
- **rounder** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rounder-vs-rudder)
- **riddler** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/riddler-vs-rudder)

## Common misspellings (7)
`rduder`, `rrudder`, `rudderr`, `ruddre`, `rudedr`, `ruder`, `urdder`

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