An aisle is a passage between rows. An isle is an island. Both words rhyme with mile, so use the setting to choose the spelling.
Look for rows or surrounding water
- “The rice is in the third aisle.” The word names a passage between store shelves.
- “We took a ferry to the Isle of Wight.” Isle means island and appears here as part of a place name.
Use aisle for rows of seats too
An aisle seat is beside the passage on a plane or in a theater. Walking down the aisle at a wedding means walking along the passage between the rows of guests.
Try it
“We chose an ___ seat on the ferry to the small ___.”
Show the answer
Use aisle for the seat beside the passage and isle for the island.
See also Altar vs. Alter.
