# pail vs pay

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### pail
*noun · IPA /peɪl/ · frequency rank #37,615*
A vessel of wood, tin, plastic, etc., usually cylindrical and having a handle -- used especially for carrying liquids, for example water or milk; a bucket (sometimes with a cover).

### pay
*verb · IPA /peɪ/ · frequency rank #390*
To give money or other compensation to in exchange for goods or services.

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