# scorpion

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈskɔː.pi.ən/ · frequency rank #17,953

## Definitions
1. Any of various arachnids of the order Scorpiones, related to the spiders, characterised by two large front pincers and a curved tail with a venomous sting in the end.
2. An ancient military engine for hurling stones and other missiles.
3. A very spiteful or vindictive person.
4. A cheerleading move in which one foot is pulled back and held up with both hands while the performer stands on the other foot.
5. A whip with points like a scorpion's tail.

## Etymology
From Middle English scorpioun, skorpioun, schorpion, schorpiun, partly from Old English sċorpio and partly from Anglo-Norman scorpïun, Old French scorpïon, escorpïon; all from Latin scorpiō, ultimately from Ancient Greek σκορπίος (skorpíos). The cheerleading move is so called because of the resemblance of the raised foot to a scorpion's stinger.

## Easily confused with
- **Scorpio** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scorpio-vs-scorpion)

## Common misspellings (12)
`csorpion`, `sccorpion`, `scoprion`, `scoripon`, `scorpino`, `scorpionn`, `scorpoin`, `scorppion`, `scorrpion`, `scropion`, `socrpion`, `sscorpion`

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