atomic typo
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A typographical error that coincidentally results in a different, correctly spelled word and thus cannot be detected by a spell checker.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Many a proofreader has chuckled at how often the atomic typo of "form" for "from" appears in proofs and in print; this error catches their eye more easily than it catches the eye of most writers.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “atomic typo” mean?
A typographical error that coincidentally results in a different, correctly spelled word and thus cannot be detected by a spell checker.
Is “atomic typo” formal or informal?
atomic typo is generally slang.