# pause vs pus

> 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.

### pus
*noun · IPA /pʌs/ · frequency rank #28,336*
A whitish-yellow or yellow substance composed primarily of dead white blood cells and dead pyogenic bacteria, normally found in regions of bacterial infection.

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