What is the Difference Between Isle and Aisle?

05/15/2025 • Giovanni Medeiros

The words "isle" and "aisle" are homophones, meaning they sound alike but have different spellings and meanings. The main difference between the two words is as follows:

Isle: This word refers to an island, usually a small one. For example, the Isle of Man is a small island located in the Irish Sea.
Aisle: This word refers to a passageway or walkway between rows or seats, typically found in buildings such as churches, theaters, or airplanes.

To summarize:

Use "isle" when referring to a small island.
Use "aisle" when referring to a passageway or walkway between rows or seats in a building.

Comparative Table: Isle vs Aisle

The words "aisle" and "isle" are pronounced the same but have different meanings. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two words:

Feature	Aisle	Isle
Pronunciation	/aɪl/	/aɪl/
Meaning	A walkway or passage, often between seating or shelving	An island, usually a small one
Examples	- Aisles in airplanes, trains, buses, churches, theaters, classrooms, and grocery stores	- The Isle of Man
Synonyms	- Passageway	- Island
Prepositions	- "Aisle" is used with prepositions like "on," "to," "in," "at," etc.	- "Isle" is used with prepositions like "on," "to," etc.

Remember that "aisle" typically refers to a walkway or passage, while "isle" refers to an island, especially a small one.