superposition

/ˌs(j)uː.pə(ɹ).pəˈzɪʃ.ən/

//ˌs(j)uː.pə(ɹ).pəˈzɪʃ.ən// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"superposition" is a 13-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“superposition” has 20 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #47,943. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#47,943
frequency rank, English
54,294
“S” headwords
20
tracked misspellings
1
confusable pair

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - The placing of one thing on top of another.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

superposition vs supposition
85% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for superposition
PropertyValue
Headwordsuperposition
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˌs(j)uː.pə(ɹ).pəˈzɪʃ.ən/
Letters13
Frequency rank#47,943
Misspellings tracked20
Confusable pairs1
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “superposition” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). superposition lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 20 spelling variants around superposition (IPA /ˌs(j)uː.pə(ɹ).pəˈzɪʃ.ən/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #47,943 among 54,294 “S” headwords. Wiktionary lists 3 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 20 likely wrong-spelling variants for superposition, with forms such as "spuerposition", "ssuperposition", and "sueprposition". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. It also participates in 1 confusable-pair relationship, "supposition", since the words sound or look close enough that writers reach for the wrong one mid-sentence.

Etymologically, the entry records: From French superposition. The correct English form is superposition, spelled S-U-P-E-R-P-O-S-I-T-I-O-N.

Definition

  1. 1
    The placing of one thing on top of another.
  2. 2
    The deposition of one stratum over another; the principle that in a series of sedimentary strata, the lower strata are the older.
  3. 3
    The situation in quantum mechanics where two or more quantum states are added together (superposed) to yield another valid quantum state.

Etymology

From French superposition.

This word in other languages

superposición(Español)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • spuerposition
  • ssuperposition
  • sueprposition
  • supeprosition
  • superopsition
  • superpoistion
  • superposiiton
  • superposision
  • superpositino
  • superpositionn
  • superpositoin
  • superposittion
  • superpossition
  • superpostiion
  • superpposition
  • superpsoition
  • superrposition
  • supperposition
  • supreposition
  • usperposition

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of superposition - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

spuerposition2ssuperposition1sueprposition2supeprosition2superopsition2superpoistion2superposiiton2superposision1
Edit distance from "superposition"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "superposition"?
"superposition" is spelled S-U-P-E-R-P-O-S-I-T-I-O-N. The IPA pronunciation is /ˌs(j)uː.pə(ɹ).pəˈzɪʃ.ən/.
What does "superposition" mean?
As a noun, "superposition" means: The placing of one thing on top of another.
What words are commonly confused with "superposition"?
"superposition" is commonly confused with "supposition". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "superposition"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "superposition" is /ˌs(j)uː.pə(ɹ).pəˈzɪʃ.ən/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "superposition"?
From French superposition. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “superposition”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is S-U-P-E-R-P-O-S-I-T-I-O-N - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˌs(j)uː.pə(ɹ).pəˈzɪʃ.ən/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “supposition” - see the side-by-side comparison. superposition vs supposition
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Same frequency band

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.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list