# vassal

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈvæsəl/ · frequency rank #32,230

## Definitions
1. The grantee of a fief, a subordinate granted use of a superior's land and its income in exchange for vows of fidelity and homage and (typically) military service.
2. Any direct subordinate bound by such vows to a superior.
3. Any subordinate bound by similar close ties.

## Etymology
From Middle English vassal, from Old French vassal, from Medieval Latin vassallus (“manservant, domestic, retainer”), from Latin vassus (“servant”), from Gaulish *wassos (“young man, squire”), from Proto-Celtic *wastos (“servant”) (compare Old Irish foss and Welsh gwas).

## Easily confused with
- **visual** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vassal-vs-visual)
- **vessel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vassal-vs-vessel)
- **Vishal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vassal-vs-vishal)
- **vandal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vandal-vs-vassal)

## Common misspellings (7)
`avssal`, `vasal`, `vasasl`, `vassall`, `vassla`, `vsasal`, `vvassal`

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