# Xmas

> English word · Proper noun · IPA /ˈkɹɪs.məs/ · frequency rank #21,118

## Definitions
1. Abbreviation of Christmas.

## Etymology
Attested in this form since 1755, and preceded by earlier forms such as X'temmas (1551) and Old English Χp̃es mæssa (1100), from Cristes mæsse, with abbreviation of Cristes by the symbol X, orthographic borrowing from Ancient Greek Χ (Kh, letter chi), from Χριστός (Khristós, “Christ”). By surface analysis, X (“Christ”) + -mas (“holiday”). In popular use since late 19th century. See Wikipedia for more information.

## Easily confused with
- **XML** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/xmas-vs-xml)
- **XPS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/xmas-vs-xps)
- **XM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/xm-vs-xmas)
- **Xia** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/xia-vs-xmas)
- **xiao** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/xiao-vs-xmas)
- **Xian** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/xian-vs-xmas)
- **Christmas** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/christmas-vs-xmas)

## Common misspellings (6)
`mxas`, `xams`, `xmass`, `xmmas`, `xmsa`, `xxmas`

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