# helium vs helm

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### helium
*noun · IPA /ˈhiː.li.əm/ · frequency rank #16,725*
The second-lightest chemical element (symbol He), with an atomic number of 2 and atomic weight of 4.002602, a colorless, odorless and inert noble gas.

### helm
*noun · IPA /hɛlm/ · frequency rank #12,064*
The tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to steer the rudder of a marine vessel; also, the entire steering apparatus of a vessel.

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