# scum vs sump

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### 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).

### sump
*noun · IPA /sʌmp/ · frequency rank #41,400*
A hollow or pit into which liquid drains, such as a cesspool, cesspit or sink.

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