# scalpel

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈskælpəl/ · frequency rank #39,076

## Definitions
1. A small straight knife with a very sharp blade used for surgery, dissection and craftwork.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin scalpellum, from scalprum (“knife”), from scalpere (“to cut”). Doublet of scalpellum.

## Easily confused with
- **scale** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scale-vs-scalpel)
- **scalp** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scalp-vs-scalpel)
- **scales** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scales-vs-scalpel)
- **scaled** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scaled-vs-scalpel)

## Common misspellings (11)
`csalpel`, `saclpel`, `scalepl`, `scallpel`, `scalpell`, `scalple`, `scalppel`, `scaplel`, `sccalpel`, `sclapel`, `sscalpel`

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