# aw vs ay

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### aw
*intj · IPA /ɔː/ · frequency rank #5,760*
Used to express disappointment or dismay.

### ay
*intj · IPA /aɪ/ · frequency rank #12,729*
Ah! alas! Expressing anger, alarm, frustration, pain, etc.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-09-03.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aw-vs-ay