# retina vs retire

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### retina
*noun · IPA /ˈɹɛt.ɪ.nə/ · frequency rank #17,227*
The thin layer of cells at the back of the eyeball that contains rods and cones sensitive to light, which trigger nerve impulses that pass via the optic nerve to the brain, where a visual image is formed.

### retire
*verb · IPA /ɹəˈtaɪə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #6,613*
To stop working on a permanent basis, usually because of old age or illness.

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