# sieve vs solve

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### sieve
*noun · IPA /sɪv/ · frequency rank #29,084*
A device with a mesh, grate, or otherwise perforated bottom to separate, in a granular material, larger particles from smaller ones, or to separate solid objects from a liquid.

### solve
*verb · IPA /sɑlv/ · frequency rank #3,528*
To find an answer or solution to a problem or question; to work out.

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