Pedal vs Peddle: Which One Do You Need?
A pedal is worked with the foot. To peddle is to sell.
The brake pedal. He peddled fake watches.
The test that settles it
Pedal shares its root with pedestrian and pedicure — all about feet.
“___ harder up the hill” → feet, so pedal.
“___ conspiracy theories” → selling them, so peddle.
Pedal: a foot lever
The noun for the part you push with your foot, and the verb for pushing it. One d.
She pressed the accelerator pedal.
He pedalled home in the rain.
A guitar effects pedal.
Are feet involved? Then pedal.
Peddle: to sell or spread
Originally to sell goods door to door; now more often used of spreading something unwelcome — rumours, drugs, bad ideas. Two d.
They peddle counterfeit goods.
He peddles the same tired argument.
Convicted of peddling drugs.
Swap in sell or spread. If it works, peddle.
Side by side
| Pedal | Peddle |
|---|---|
| A foot lever | To sell |
| One d | Two d |
| From Latin for foot | From pedlar |
| Brake pedal | Peddle rumours |
The exception
To soft-pedal something is to play it down, from the piano pedal that softens the sound. One d, despite the figurative meaning.
Where people get it wrong
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| peddle faster | pedal faster | Feet. |
| pedalling misinformation | peddling misinformation | Spreading it. |
| a bike peddle | a bike pedal | The part. |
| soft-peddle the issue | soft-pedal the issue | From the piano. |
Practice — choose the right word, then check yourself.
- The clutch ___ is stiff.
- They ___ cheap imitations.
- He ___ twenty miles a day.
- The site ___ health myths.
- She tried to soft-___ the criticism.
Show the answers
1. pedal 2. peddle 3. pedals 4. peddles 5. pedal
Frequently asked
What is a pedlar?
A travelling seller. British spelling uses one d for the person and two for the verb, which is genuinely inconsistent; American spelling uses peddler.
Which is more common in figurative use?
Peddle — peddling influence, peddling lies. Almost always disapproving.
More words people confuse
