# shave vs spade

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### shave
*verb · IPA /ʃeɪv/ · frequency rank #9,248*
To make (the head, skin etc.) bald or (the hair) shorter by using a tool such as a razor or electric clippers to cut the hair close to the skin.

### spade
*noun · IPA /speɪ̯d/ · frequency rank #18,960*
A garden tool with a handle and a flat blade for digging. Not to be confused with a shovel which is used for moving earth or other materials.

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