# rein vs retain

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### rein
*noun · IPA /ɹeɪn/ · frequency rank #17,934*
A strap or rope attached to a bridle or bit, used to control a horse, other animal or young child.

### retain
*verb · IPA /ɹɪˈteɪn/ · frequency rank #5,541*
Often followed by from: to hold back (someone or something); to check, to prevent, to restrain, to stop.

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