# detain vs drain

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### detain
*verb · IPA /dɪˈteɪn/ · frequency rank #22,056*
To keep something from proceeding or coming to completion; to delay.

### drain
*noun · IPA /dɹeɪn/ · frequency rank #6,353*
A conduit allowing liquid to flow out of an otherwise contained volume; a plughole (UK)

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