# stalemate

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈsteɪlmeɪt/ · frequency rank #27,655

## Definitions
1. The state in which the player to move is not in check but has no legal moves, resulting in a draw.
2. Any situation that has no obvious possible movement, but involves no personal loss.
3. Any kind of match in which neither contestant laid claim to victory; a draw.

## Etymology
From stale + mate.

## Common misspellings (13)
`satlemate`, `sstalemate`, `staelmate`, `staleamte`, `stalemaet`, `stalematte`, `stalemmate`, `stalemtae`, `stallemate`, `stalmeate`, `stlaemate`, `sttalemate`, `tsalemate`

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