# tong vs tool

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### tong
*noun · IPA /tɒŋ/ · frequency rank #21,681*
An instrument or tool used for manipulating things in a fire without touching them with the hands.

### tool
*noun · IPA /tuːl/ · frequency rank #2,704*
Any physical device meant to ease or do a task.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-09-03.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tong-vs-tool