# crud vs crux

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### crud
*noun · IPA /kɹʌd/ · frequency rank #45,306*
Dirt, filth or refuse.

### crux
*noun · IPA /kɹʌks/ · frequency rank #27,109*
The basic, central, or essential point or feature.

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