# riff vs rip

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### riff
*noun · IPA /ɹɪf/ · frequency rank #17,229*
A repeated melody line in a song, usually instrumental but sometimes vocal.

### rip
*verb · IPA /ɹɪp/ · frequency rank #4,630*
To divide or separate the parts of (especially something flimsy, such as paper or fabric), by cutting or tearing; to tear off or out by violence.

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