# scan vs scary

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### scan
*verb · IPA /skæn/ · frequency rank #6,412*
To examine sequentially, carefully, or critically; to scrutinize; to behold closely.

### scary
*adjective · IPA /ˈskɛə.ɹi/ · frequency rank #3,845*
Causing fear or anxiety

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