# pause vs pulse

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### pause
*verb · IPA /pɔːz/ · frequency rank #7,166*
To take a temporary rest, take a break for a short period after an effort.

### pulse
*noun · IPA /pʌls/ · frequency rank #6,507*
A normally regular beat felt when arteries near the skin (for example, at the neck or wrist) are depressed, caused by the heart pumping blood through them; the qualitative nature of this beat.

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