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Commonly Confused
🔊 Homophones: 100% Identical Pronunciation (⁄wiːk⁄)

How to Pronounce weak vs week

Key Pronunciation Contrast

Homophones (⁄wiːk⁄): ‘weak’ is lacking physical strength; a ‘week’ is a period of seven days.

Contrast: Homophones: identical ⁄wiːk⁄

Word 1Full word page➔

weak

⁄wiːk⁄

Syllables

WEAK

Definition:

Lacking in force (usually strength) or ability.

“The child was too weak to move the boulder.”
Word 2Full word page➔

week

⁄wiːk⁄

Syllables

WEEK

Definition:

Any period of seven consecutive days.

“Holonyms: megasecond < fortnight < month < year < gigasecond < century < kiloannum, kiloyear, millennium < terasecond < mega-annum, megayear < petasecond < giga-annum, gigayear < exasecond < zettasecond < yottasecond < ronnasecond < quettasecond”

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Frequently Asked Questions: weak vs week

What is the difference in pronunciation between "weak" and "week"?

Homophones (⁄wiːk⁄): ‘weak’ is lacking physical strength; a ‘week’ is a period of seven days.

Where does the syllable stress fall in "weak" vs "week"?

"weak" has 1 syllable(s) (weak) with stress on "WEAK". "week" has 1 syllable(s) (week) with stress on "WEEK".

Why do English learners often confuse "weak" and "week"?

Learners frequently confuse them due to the close sound contrast: Homophones: identical ⁄wiːk⁄. In rapid spoken English, context and vowel duration are the primary differentiators.

What are example sentences for "weak" and "week"?

Example for "weak": "The child was too weak to move the boulder." Example for "week": "Holonyms: megasecond < fortnight < month < year < gigasecond < century < kiloannum, kiloyear, millennium < terasecond < mega-annum, megayear < petasecond < giga-annum, gigayear < exasecond < zettasecond < yottasecond < ronnasecond < quettasecond"