# tic vs tom

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### tic
*noun · IPA /tɪk/ · frequency rank #22,244*
A sudden, nonrhythmic motor movement or vocalization.

### tom
*noun · IPA /tɒm/ · frequency rank #1,582*
The male of the domesticated cat, especially if not neutered.

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