# Clive vs clue

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### Clive
*name · IPA /ˈklaɪv/ · frequency rank #12,563*
A topographic surname from Old English - someone who lived near a cliff (Old English clif).

### clue
*noun · IPA /kluː/ · frequency rank #5,306*
A strand of yarn etc. as used to guide one through a labyrinth; something which points the way, a guide.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clive-vs-clue