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Deterent or deterrent?

Did you mean deterrent? Here's the right spelling and how to remember it.

Incorrect

deterent

Correct

deterrent

Letter by letter
CorrectWrong

Correct spelling: deterrent. Misspelling: deterent.

letters the misspelling gets wrong or leaves out letters that shouldn't be there

Memory tip

Double R, as in deterring: de-te-RR-ent.

Why people write “deterent”

The misspelling “deterent” is only one letter off: it uses a single R where deterrent has a double RR.

Spell-checkers catch the mistake in a document, but not in a handwritten note, a text message or a word game. Writing the word out a few times while saying the tricky part aloud is the quickest way to make deterrent automatic.

What does “deterrent” mean?

deterrent noun

  1. something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

    Synonyms:hindrancehinderanceimpedimentbalkbaulk

deterrent adjective

  1. tending to deter

    “the deterrent effects of high prices”

Definitions from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Full dictionary entry

“Deterrent” in a sentence

  • High fines act as a deterrent.
  • The deterrent effects of high prices.

Is “deterrent” a playable word?

d 2e 1t 1e 1r 1r 1e 1n 1t 1

10 points in Scrabble · 11 in Words With Friends

  • Scrabble (US)
  • Scrabble (UK)
  • Words With Friends

“deterent” is not accepted in any of these games. See every word you can make from DETERRENT.

Deterrent: quick answers

Is it deterent or deterrent?
The correct spelling is deterrent. “deterent” is a misspelling: it does not appear in standard dictionaries or in the Scrabble and Words With Friends word lists.
How can I remember how to spell deterrent?
Double R, as in deterring: de-te-RR-ent.
What does deterrent mean?
Deterrent means: something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress.