typo
noun
typo
1 American
[tahy-poh]
/ ˈtaɪ poʊ /
noun
Informal.
typos
plural
typo-
2
American
typo.
3
American
abbreviation
-
typographer.
-
typographic.
-
typographical.
-
typography.
typo
1
British
/ ˈtaɪpəʊ /
noun
typo.
2
British
abbreviation
Usage
What is a typo? Typo is short for typographical error—a mistake made when typing something. The term typically refers to an unintentional error that happens when you accidentally hit the wrong key on a keyboard—the kind of mistake that autocorrect is supposed to catch and automatically fix when you’re typing a document or texting. For example, typing teh when you mean to type the is a common typo. Typos often result in misspellings, but, technically, not all misspellings are typos. It wouldn’t be quite accurate to call a misspelling a typo if you spelled the word that way on purpose. Still, people often use the word this way, especially when politely pointing out misspellings in things that other people have typed. The term typographical error can also refer to an error made during the printing process, such as due to a mechanical issue, but this sense of the term is much less commonly usedExample: I should have proofread my proposal because as I was presenting it I noticed a typo right on the title slide.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of typo
1890–95; shortened form; see -o
Explanation
A typo is a mistake in written or published writing. If you find a misspelled word or misplaced punctuation mark in this blurb, you've caught a typo. Typo is short for typographical error, and you can also call it a misprint. Typos are errors made during the typing process that have been missed by editors and proofreaders. Originally, typos were mistakes made during typesetting, but today you can use the term for mistakes in any typewritten text, from instant messages to social media posts.
Vocabulary lists containing typo
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocabulary for July 1–July 7, 2023
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
typ
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
typ (print, form)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I spoke with Yong about animal perception, how writing the book shaped his relationship with his dog, Typo, and the throughline between pandemic reporting and his work on animal senses.
From Slate • Jun. 21, 2022
Wholesale Clearance, which deals in bankrupt stock and discontinued lines, has stepped in to sell the commemorative items - with the products advertised as "Souvenir Stock with Slight Typo Mistake".
From BBC • Feb. 1, 2022
The headline “Our Typo Humor” is by Jesse Frankovich; William Kennard wrote the honorable-mentions subhead.
From Washington Post • Jun. 17, 2021
Typo, the band hired for the last event, played a range of songs.
From Washington Times • Mar. 18, 2018
"And what is a Tippo, Typo, or Toppographical Engineer, Sergeant?" broke in the little Irish Corporal, who chanced to be one of the group, rather seriously.
From Red-Tape and Pigeon-Hole Generals As Seen From the Ranks During a Campaign in the Army of the Potomac by Armstrong, William H.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
