# mantel vs mates

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### mantel
*noun · IPA /ˈmæn.təl/ · frequency rank #32,490*
The shelf above a fireplace which may be also a structural support for the masonry of the chimney.

### mates
*noun · IPA /meɪts/ · frequency rank #7,248*
plural of mate

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