definir

[d̪efiˈniɾ]

/[d̪efiˈniɾ]/ verb

The verdict

“definir” is a regularly-used Spanish word, ranked #4,152 in Spanish word frequency and used as a verb.

#4,152
frequency rank, Spanish
7
letters
10
tracked misspellings
14
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - Formular con claridad y exactitud el significado de algo.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

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

definir vs devenir
71% similar
definir vs definirá
88% similar
definir vs definirse
78% similar

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

Key facts for definir
PropertyValue
Headworddefinir
LanguageSpanish
Part of speechVerb
IPA[d̪efiˈniɾ]
Letters7
Frequency rank#4,152
Misspellings tracked10
Confusable pairs14
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “definir” sits in Spanish 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). definir 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 Spanish entry for definir is 7 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as [d̪efiˈniɾ]. Corpus data places it at rank #4,152 in overall Spanish word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 4 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 10 likely wrong-spelling variants for definir, with forms such as "ddefinir", "deffinir", and "defiinr". 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 14 confusable-pair relationships, "devenir", "definirá", "definirse", and more, since the words sound or look close enough that writers reach for the wrong one mid-sentence.

Wiktionary doesn't record an etymology for this headword, so its spelling is easiest explained by how it's pronounced rather than where it came from. The correct Spanish form is definir, spelled D-E-F-I-N-I-R.

Definition

  1. 1
    Formular con claridad y exactitud el significado de algo.
  2. 2
    Decidir o resolver algo sobre lo que había dudas.
  3. 3
    Dar los toques finales con precisión para dejar concluida una obra.
  4. 4
    Establecer los parámetros de un programa u operación.

This word in other languages

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: ddefinir,deffinir,defiinr,definirr,definnir,definri,defniir,deifnir,dfeinir,edfinir

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of definir - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

ddefinir1deffinir1defiinr2definirr1definnir1definri2defniir2deifnir2
Edit distance from "definir"

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 Spanish corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "definir"?
"definir" is spelled D-E-F-I-N-I-R. The IPA pronunciation is [d̪efiˈniɾ].
What does "definir" mean?
As a verb, "definir" means: Formular con claridad y exactitud el significado de algo.
What words are commonly confused with "definir"?
"definir" is commonly confused with "devenir", "definirá", "definirse". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "definir"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "definir" is [d̪efiˈniɾ]. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What language does "definir" come from?
"definir" is a Spanish word. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, and spelling data for this and other words across English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and German on PlainSpell.
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 “definir”

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

  • The one correct Spanish spelling is D-E-F-I-N-I-R - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as [d̪efiˈniɾ] (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “devenir” - see the side-by-side comparison. definir vs devenir
  • Browse more Spanish words and confusable pairs in the same reference. Spanish 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