# silicon

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈsɪlɪkən/ · frequency rank #7,179

## Definitions
1. A nonmetallic element (symbol Si) with an atomic number of 14 and atomic weight of 28.0855.
2. A single atom of this element.

## Etymology
Coined by Scottish chemist Thomas Thomson as a modification of the earlier name silicium, from the stem of Latin silex (“flint, silica”) + -on from carbon.

## Easily confused with
- **silicone** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/silicon-vs-silicone)
- **silica** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/silica-vs-silicon)

## Common misspellings (10)
`islicon`, `siilcon`, `silcion`, `siliccon`, `silicno`, `siliconn`, `siliocn`, `sillicon`, `sliicon`, `ssilicon`

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