Pole vs Poll: Which One Do You Need?
A pole is a long rod, or the end of the earth or a magnet. A poll is a vote or a survey.
A tent pole. The latest poll.
The test that settles it
Two l for the vote. If people are being counted or asked, it is poll.
“opinion ___” → a survey, so poll.
“the North ___” → the earth’s end, so Pole.
Pole: a rod, or an extremity
A long thin piece of wood or metal; the ends of the earth’s axis; the ends of a magnet; and figuratively opposite extremes.
A flagpole in the square.
An expedition to the South Pole.
They are poles apart on this.
Is it a rod or an extreme end? Then pole.
Poll: a vote or survey
A count of votes or opinions, the place where voting happens, and the verb for taking such a count.
The polls close at ten.
A poll of two thousand adults.
The party polled badly.
Are people being asked or counted? Then poll.
Side by side
| Pole | Poll |
|---|---|
| A rod, or an extreme | A vote or survey |
| One l | Two l |
| Physical or geographic | About people’s views |
| A telegraph pole | An exit poll |
The exceptions
In motor racing, pole position is the front spot on the grid — one l. It comes from horse racing, where the pole was the inside fence.
The original sense of poll was the top of the head, which is why counting heads became counting votes. It survives in poll tax and in pollarded trees, cut back at the top.
Where people get it wrong
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| a new opinion pole | a new opinion poll | A survey. |
| He took poll position. | He took pole position. | Motor racing, one l. |
| the North Poll | the North Pole | Geography. |
| polling the tent up | putting the tent pole up | Two different words. |
Practice — choose the right word, then check yourself.
- The ___ suggests a close race.
- Tie the rope to that ___.
- Voters go to the ___ on Thursday.
- They are ___ apart politically.
- She qualified in ___ position.
Show the answers
1. poll 2. pole 3. polls 4. poles 5. pole
Frequently asked
What is a straw poll?
An informal, unscientific survey — from the idea of throwing straw into the air to see which way the wind blows.
Is Pole capitalised?
Yes for the geographic ones, and also for a person from Poland — a third meaning entirely.
More words people confuse
