# defile vs define

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### defile
*verb · IPA /dɪˈfaɪl/ · frequency rank #44,153*
To make (someone or something) physically dirty or unclean; to befoul, to soil.

### define
*verb · IPA /dɪˈfaɪn/ · frequency rank #4,224*
To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly.

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