# headache vs heartache

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### headache
*noun · IPA /ˈhɛdeɪk/ · frequency rank #7,459*
A pain or ache in the head.

### heartache
*noun · IPA /ˈhɑːteɪk/ · frequency rank #22,400*
Emotional distress or pain, often caused by a loved one or their absence.

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