# layer vs lye

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### layer
*noun · IPA /lɛə/ · frequency rank #3,635*
A single thickness of some material covering a surface.

### lye
*noun · IPA /laɪ/ · frequency rank #40,787*
An alkaline liquid made by leaching ashes (usually wood ashes).

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