Vice vs. Vise: What's the Difference?
Vice and vise are examples of homophones: words that sound alike but have different meanings and spellings. Vice refers to an immoral or wicked personal characteristic, while vise is a tool with two parallel jaws used to hold an object firmly in place during work. Vice often appears in contexts related to ethics and behavior, whereas vise is commonly discussed in mechanical and craft scenarios.
How do you use the word vice in a sentence?
The term vice is typically used to describe a habit or practice that is considered morally wrong or detrimental to one's character. It often connotates an ingrained bad habit that can be difficult to overcome. Reflecting on one's own vices can be part of a self-improvement process or moral inventory.
Examples of vice in a sentence
- Gambling was his vice, leading him to lose more than just money.
- In a display of vice, the official abused his power for personal gain.
- Many consider smoking to be a harmful vice that can be challenging to quit.
How do you use the word vise in a sentence?
In the realm of tools and craftsmanship, vise is used to refer to a mechanical apparatus designed to secure an object, allowing work to be performed on it with precision and stability. It can be an integral part of a woodworker's bench or a metalworker's station, ensuring the object is held still during processes like sawing, drilling, or filing.
Examples of vise in a sentence
- He clamped the metal rod in the vise to bend it into shape.
- The carpenter tightened the vise around the edges of the wooden plank.
- I need a stronger vise to grip this piece while I sand it down.
Vice and vise definition, parts of speech, and pronunciation
Vice definition:
Vice is a noun that denotes an immoral or depraved habit or characteristic. It often implies a practice or behavior that is harmful or unethical.
Vice parts of speech:
Vice pronunciation:
Vice is pronounced as /vaɪs/. There are no significant variations in its pronunciation.
Vise definition:
Vise is a noun that refers to a metal tool with adjustable jaws used for holding workpieces firmly in place during manual operations like sawing or drilling.
Vise parts of speech:
Vise pronunciation:
Vise is pronounced as /vaɪs/, similarly to vice, making them difficult to differentiate in speech.
Vice is a noun that denotes an immoral or depraved habit or characteristic. It often implies a practice or behavior that is harmful or unethical.
Vice parts of speech:
- As a noun: The city is well-known for its vices, ranging from gambling to illicit activities.
Vice pronunciation:
Vice is pronounced as /vaɪs/. There are no significant variations in its pronunciation.
Vise definition:
Vise is a noun that refers to a metal tool with adjustable jaws used for holding workpieces firmly in place during manual operations like sawing or drilling.
Vise parts of speech:
- As a noun: Without a proper vise, it's hard to achieve the precision required for this task.
Vise pronunciation:
Vise is pronounced as /vaɪs/, similarly to vice, making them difficult to differentiate in speech.
Vice vs. vise in a nutshell
Although vice and vise are homophones, their meanings are clearly distinguishable in context. Vice is a moral concept denoting harmful habits or behaviors, generally detrimental to oneself or society. Vise, on the other hand, describes a robust mechanical tool essential for tradespeople and hobbyists alike. Knowing the distinction is critical, especially in written communication, as their identical pronunciation does not hint at the substantial difference in their meanings.
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