Definitions
Pair is a noun that refers to two similar or identical things that are meant to be used together or considered as a unit. It can also be used as a verb meaning to put two things together.
Example
I need a pair of shoes for the party tonight.
Example
The socks were sold in pairs.
Pare is a verb that means to remove the outer covering or skin of something, usually with a knife or peeler.
Example
She pared the apple with a sharp knife.
Example
He pared the potato before boiling it.
Tips To Remember the Differences
Here are a few tips to easily distinguish the difference between these words while keeping in mind the description we've provided:
- To remember the difference between these two words, think of pair as two things that go together, like a pair of shoes or a pair of socks. - For pare, think of the 'e' in the word as standing for 'eliminate' or 'erase', which is what you do when you pare something down to its essentials.
Remember this!
Remember, pair refers to two similar things, while pare means to remove the outer covering of something.
