# scour vs scum

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### scour
*verb · IPA /ˈskaʊə/ · frequency rank #30,216*
To clean, polish, or wash (something) by rubbing and scrubbing it vigorously, frequently with an abrasive or cleaning agent.

### scum
*noun · IPA /skʌm/ · frequency rank #11,112*
A layer of impurities that accumulates at the surface of a liquid (especially molten metal or water).

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