# cotter vs cower

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### cotter
*noun · IPA /kɒtə/ · frequency rank #37,401*
A pin or wedge inserted through a slot to hold machine parts together.

### cower
*verb · IPA /ˈkaʊɚ/ · frequency rank #49,846*
To crouch or cringe, or to avoid or shy away from something, in fear.

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