# sickle

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈsɪkl̩/ · frequency rank #23,996

## Definitions
1. An implement having a semicircular blade and short handle, used for cutting long grass and cereal crops.
2. Anything resembling a sickle, especially:
3. Anything resembling a sickle, especially:

## Etymology
From Middle English sikel (also assibilated in sichel), from Old English sicol, siċel, from Proto-West Germanic *sikilu, itself borrowed from Latin sēcula (“sickle”) or sīcīlis (“sickle”). Cognate with Dutch sikkel, German Sichel. Remotely related with English scythe and saw.

## Easily confused with
- **single** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sickle-vs-single)
- **simple** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sickle-vs-simple)
- **sickly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sickle-vs-sickly)
- **sizzle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sickle-vs-sizzle)
- **sick** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sick-vs-sickle)
- **scale** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scale-vs-sickle)
- **Sicily** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sicily-vs-sickle)
- **sicker** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sicker-vs-sickle)
- **shackle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shackle-vs-sickle)

## Common misspellings (9)
`isckle`, `scikle`, `sicckle`, `sickel`, `sickkle`, `sicklle`, `siclke`, `sikcle`, `ssickle`

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