# defector vs detector

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### defector
*noun · IPA /dɪˈfɛktə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #45,875*
One who defects.

### detector
*noun · IPA /dɪˈtɛktə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #11,017*
A device capable of registering a specific substance or physical phenomenon, and that optionally sounds an alarm or triggers a warning.

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