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How do you spell Desperate?

Correct spelling

desperate

PER in the middle, not PAR. DESPER + ATE.

Why is desperate spelled this way?

The second syllable is PER not PAR. Desperation comes from Latin desperare, to be without hope. The spelling preserves that Latin E.

Common misspellings of desperate

desparatedespiratedespratedesperite

Example

They were desperate for help.

Frequently asked questions

How do you spell desperate?+
The correct spelling is "desperate". PER in the middle, not PAR. DESPER + ATE.
Is it desparate or desperate?+
The correct spelling is "desperate", not "desparate". This word gets 15,000+ monthly searches.

Other commonly misspelled words

fertilizer fervent fettuccine fewer

More spelling guides

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