# termite

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈtɜː(ɹ).maɪt/ · frequency rank #38,200

## Definitions
1. A white-bodied, wood-consuming insect of the infraorder Isoptera, in the order Blattodea.
2. A contemptible person.

## Etymology
Inferred singular of termites, the plural of Latin termes (“woodworm”), which was used for termites by Linnaeus.

## Easily confused with
- **trite** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/termite-vs-trite)
- **termites** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/termite-vs-termites)
- **terminate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/terminate-vs-termite)

## Common misspellings (10)
`etrmite`, `temrite`, `terimte`, `termiet`, `termitte`, `termmite`, `termtie`, `terrmite`, `tremite`, `ttermite`

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