# silicon vs silicone

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### silicon
*noun · IPA /ˈsɪlɪkən/ · frequency rank #7,179*
A nonmetallic element (symbol Si) with an atomic number of 14 and atomic weight of 28.0855.

### silicone
*noun · IPA /ˈsɪlɪkəʊn/ · frequency rank #17,243*
Any of a class of inert, semi-inorganic polymeric compounds (polysiloxanes), that have a wide range of thermal stability and extreme water repellence, used in a very wide range of industrial applications, and in prosthetic replacements for body parts.

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