Quick answer
An aisle is the narrow passage between rows of seats or shelves. An isle is an island. Memory hook: isle and island both have an s, while an aisle is a way to walk through.
The core difference
An aisle is a walkway between rows; an isle is a small island.
- aisle — a narrow passage between rows of seats, shelves or pews: She grabbed a jar of pasta sauce from aisle six.
- isle — an island, especially a small one: They sailed to a tiny isle just off the coast.
How to tell them apart
These are homophones, so the ear cannot help. Picture the scene. If people are walking between seats, shelves or pews, it is an aisle. If it is surrounded by water, it is an isle.
A trick: isle means an island, so think of land in water, while aisle has the extra a, as in a way through. The mix-up shows up in supermarket signs, wedding writing such as walking down the isle, and in place names like the Isle of Skye, which is always spelt isle.
Frequently asked questions
Is it walk down the aisle or isle?
It is aisle, for the path a bride walks in a ceremony, and also for marriage in general.
Is the Isle of Skye spelt aisle?
No. It is isle, because it is an island.
Are aisle and isle related?
No, they are not related in origin. They simply sound the same today.
