# tool vs toy

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

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

### toy
*noun · IPA /tɔɪ/ · frequency rank #4,342*
Something to play with, especially as intended for use by a child.

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