Which to use
“def” is an adjective and “dig” is a verb - they look or sound alike but fill different roles in a sentence.
- #32,132
- “def” frequency rank
- #34,238
- “dig” frequency rank
- 66370
- confusion score
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | def | dig |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | algo muito bom | cavar, escavar |
Where the spellings diverge
Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set def and dig apart are highlighted. They share 1 letter in sequence, which is exactly why the eye skips the difference.
Spelling & Dictionary Insight
Our dataset has no pronunciation recorded for both members, so the reliable separator here is grammatical: def is anadjective and digaverb. On the page they share most of their letters but differ in 2 positions. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 66370, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.
def is recorded at frequency rank #32,132, classified as anadj, pronounced /dɛf/. dig is at rank #34,238, tagged as averb.
Glosses for this pair are partially populated in our dataset, but the full side-by-side definitions above should still guide you to the right choice.
With a confusion score of 66370, this pair ranks #5,019 of 75,631 scored Portuguese confusable pairs - among the most confusable pairs.
Orthographic DNA of def vs dig
Shared letters: d. Private to "def": ef. Private to "dig": gi.
"def" · 3 letters · shape CVC · "dig" · 3 letters · shape CVC
Frequency comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Can "def" and "dig" be used interchangeably?
Which is more common, "def" or "dig"?
Remembering def vs dig
The fastest way to pick the right one every time.
- Check the role first: if you need an adjective, it's “def”; for a verb, it's “dig”.
- See each word in full, definition, IPA, etymology and its other confusables. Full “def” entry
- Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable