self-actualization
"self-actualization" is a 17-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.
The verdict
“self-actualization” is uncommon English (outside the top frequency list), classed as a noun. The kind of spelling people second-guess.
- Unranked
- below top-frequency English
- 18
- letters
According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - Psychological development that can be achieved when all basic and mental needs are fulfilled.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Headword | self-actualization |
| Language | English |
| Part of speech | Noun |
| Letters | 18 |
| Misspellings tracked | 0 |
| Confusable pairs | 0 |
| Source | Wiktionary (kaikki.org) |
Where “self-actualization” sits in English frequency
Rare enough to double-check
self-actualization is uncommon English outside the top frequency list, classed as anoun. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. Gloss: "Psychological development that can be achieved when all basic and mental needs are fulfilled.".
No generated misspelling entries exist for self-actualization in our index, a sign its spelling follows regular English conventions. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, a sign it's visually distinctive enough not to be mixed up with another word.
Etymologically, the entry records: From self- + actualization. Probably applied in this sense by Abraham Maslow. The correct English form is self-actualization, spelled S-E-L-F---A-C-T-U-A-L-I-Z-A-T-I-O-N.
Definition
- 1Psychological development that can be achieved when all basic and mental needs are fulfilled.
Etymology
From self- + actualization. Probably applied in this sense by Abraham Maslow.
Synonyms
This word in other languages
Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Using “self-actualization”
The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.
- The one correct English spelling is S-E-L-F---A-C-T-U-A-L-I-Z-A-T-I-O-N - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
- Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
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.