stumbling block
"stumbling-block" is a 14-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.
The verdict
“stumbling block” is outside the top-ranked English vocabulary, used as a noun - the kind of word writers most often double-check.
- Unranked
- below top-frequency English
- 15
- letters
According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A hindrance, obstacle or impediment; an opportunity for error.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Headword | stumbling block |
| Language | English |
| Part of speech | Noun |
| Letters | 15 |
| Misspellings tracked | 0 |
| Confusable pairs | 0 |
| Source | Wiktionary (kaikki.org) |
Where “stumbling block” sits in English frequency
Spelling & Dictionary Insight
The English entry for stumbling block is 15 letters long, classified as a noun. It sits outside the most-frequent rank tiers, which is often why uncommon words generate more spelling variants per reader. The dominant gloss from Wiktionary reads: "A hindrance, obstacle or impediment; an opportunity for error.".
stumbling block has no tracked misspelling variants, which points to an orthography that plays by predictable English rules. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, since its spelling is unusual enough that it doesn't cluster with a lookalike.
Etymologically, the entry records: Probably originally from Romans 14:13 or 1 Corinthians 8:9 in the King James Version of the Bible, translating Koine Greek πρόσκομμα (próskomma). The correct English form is stumbling block, spelled S-T-U-M-B-L-I-N-G- -B-L-O-C-K.
Definition
- 1A hindrance, obstacle or impediment; an opportunity for error.
Etymology
Probably originally from Romans 14:13 or 1 Corinthians 8:9 in the King James Version of the Bible, translating Koine Greek πρόσκομμα (próskomma).
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 “stumbling block”
The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.
- The one correct English spelling is S-T-U-M-B-L-I-N-G- -B-L-O-C-K - 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.