# sperm

> English word · Noun · IPA /spɜɹm/ · frequency rank #9,102

## Definitions
1. The reproductive cell or gamete of the male; a spermatozoon.
2. Semen; the generative substance of male animals.
3. Sperm oil; whale oil from a sperm whale; spermaceti.

## Etymology
From Middle English sperme, from Latin sperma, from Ancient Greek σπέρμα (spérma, “seed, semen”). Compare also Old French esperme, sparme.

## Easily confused with
- **SPR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-spr)
- **stem** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-stem)
- **spur** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-spur)
- **spew** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-spew)
- **super** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-super)
- **sport** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-sport)
- **storm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-storm)
- **steam** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-steam)
- **Spurs** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-spurs)
- **stern** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-stern)
- **swarm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-swarm)
- **spire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-spire)
- **spore** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-spore)
- **spurt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-spurt)
- **spiro** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-spiro)
- **Sturm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-sturm)
- **superb** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-superb)
- **sphere** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sperm-vs-sphere)
- **ser** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ser-vs-sperm)
- **sem** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sem-vs-sperm)

## Common misspellings (8)
`pserm`, `seprm`, `spemr`, `spermm`, `sperrm`, `spperm`, `sprem`, `ssperm`

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