topology

/təˈpɒləd͡ʒi/

//təˈpɒləd͡ʒi// noun

"topology" is a 8-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“topology” is a moderately-common English word, ranked #22,530 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#22,530
frequency rank, English
8
letters
12
tracked misspellings
2
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - The branch of mathematics dealing with those properties of a geometrical object (of arbitrary dimensionality) that are unchanged by continuous deformations (such as stretching, bending, etc., witho...

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

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

topology vs typology
88% similar
topology vs theology
75% similar

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

Key facts for topology
PropertyValue
Headwordtopology
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/təˈpɒləd͡ʒi/
Letters8
Frequency rank#22,530
Misspellings tracked12
Confusable pairs2
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “topology” 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). topology lands here:

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

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

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for topology is 8 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /təˈpɒləd͡ʒi/. Corpus data places it at rank #22,530 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 7 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 12 likely wrong-spelling variants for topology, with forms such as "otpology", "tooplogy", and "toploogy". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 2 confusable-pair relationships, "typology", "theology", a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Late Latin topologia, from By surface analysis, topo- (“place”) + -logy (“study of, a branch of knowledge”). The correct English form is topology, spelled T-O-P-O-L-O-G-Y.

Definition

  1. 1
    The branch of mathematics dealing with those properties of a geometrical object (of arbitrary dimensionality) that are unchanged by continuous deformations (such as stretching, bending, etc., without tearing or gluing).
  2. 2
    Any collection τ of subsets of a given set X that contains both the empty set and X, and which is closed under finitary intersections and arbitrary unions.
  3. 3
    The anatomical structure of part of the body.
  4. 4
    The arrangement of nodes in a communications network.
  5. 5
    The properties of a particular technological embodiment that are not affected by differences in the physical layout or form of its application.
  6. 6
    The topographical study of geographic locations or given places in relation to their history.
  7. 7
    The art of, or method for, assisting the memory by associating the thing or subject to be remembered with some place.

Etymology

From Late Latin topologia, from By surface analysis, topo- (“place”) + -logy (“study of, a branch of knowledge”).

Synonyms

analysis situsgeometria situs

This word in other languages

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: otpology,tooplogy,toploogy,topolgoy,topollogy,topologgy,topologyy,topoloyg,topoolgy,toppology,tpoology,ttopology

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of topology - counted as single-character edits (an insertion, a deletion, or a substituted letter). The larger the bar, the easier the typo is to spot; one-edit slips are the ones that sneak past readers.

otpology2tooplogy2toploogy2topolgoy2topollogy1topologgy1topologyy1topoloyg2
Edit distance from "topology"

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 "topology"?
"topology" is spelled T-O-P-O-L-O-G-Y. The IPA pronunciation is /təˈpɒləd͡ʒi/.
What does "topology" mean?
As a noun, "topology" means: The branch of mathematics dealing with those properties of a geometrical object (of arbitrary dimensionality) that are unchanged by continuous deformations (such as stretching, bending, etc., witho...
What words are commonly confused with "topology"?
"topology" is commonly confused with "typology", "theology". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "topology"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "topology" is /təˈpɒləd͡ʒi/. 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 "topology"?
From Late Latin topologia, from By surface analysis, topo- (“place”) + -logy (“study of, a branch of knowledge”). 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 “topology”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is T-O-P-O-L-O-G-Y - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /təˈpɒləd͡ʒi/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “typology” - see the side-by-side comparison. topology vs typology
  • 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.

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

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