# scan vs span

> 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.

### span
*noun · IPA /spæn/ · frequency rank #6,416*
The full width of an open hand from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger used as an informal unit of length.

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