# core vs curse

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### core
*noun · IPA /kɔː/ · frequency rank #1,892*
In general usage, an essential part of a thing surrounded by other essential things.

### curse
*noun · IPA /kɜːs/ · frequency rank #6,351*
A supernatural detriment or hindrance; a bane.

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