Sole vs Soul: Which Spelling Is Right?
Sole means only, or the underside of a foot. Soul is the spiritual part of a person.
The sole survivor. A generous soul.
The test that settles it
Try replacing the word with only. If that works, it is sole. If you could replace it with spirit or person, it is soul.
“the ___ reason I came” → the only reason, so sole.
“not a ___ in sight” → not a person in sight, so soul.
Soul contains ou, as in you — and a soul belongs to somebody. Sole ends like whole, and a sole thing is the whole of what there is.
Sole: only, or the bottom of a foot
Three separate words share the spelling: the adjective meaning single or exclusive, the noun for the underside of a foot or shoe, and the flatfish.
the company’s sole shareholder
a hole in the sole of his boot
grilled lemon sole
Does only fit, or are you pointing at a shoe? Then sole.
Soul: the spirit, or a person
The immaterial part of a person; by extension a person themselves, deep feeling, or the music that carries it.
He sold his soul for a seat on the board.
There was not a soul about.
a soul record from 1971
Could you say spirit or person instead? Then soul.
Side by side
| Sole | Soul |
|---|---|
| Only, single | Spirit, person |
| Also a foot, a shoe, a fish | Also deep feeling, a music genre |
| Adjective and noun | Noun |
| my sole concern | a kind soul |
The exceptions
Two phrases catch people constantly. Sole survivor means the only one left alive, so it takes sole. Soul mate is about the spirit, so it takes soul. Neither is a judgement call.
The adverb from sole is solely, with the e kept: solely responsible. The adjective from soul is soulful or soulless. Getting the ending right usually fixes the stem too.
Where people get it wrong
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| She was the soul beneficiary. | She was the sole beneficiary. | The only one. |
| He put his whole sole into it. | He put his whole soul into it. | The spirit. |
| They are sole mates. | They are soul mates. | Spiritual, not singular. |
| The shoe needs a new soul. | The shoe needs a new sole. | The underside. |
Practice — choose the right word, then check yourself.
- She is the ___ owner of the business.
- Not a ___ came to the meeting.
- The ___ of my shoe has worn through.
- He sings with real ___.
- That was my ___ purpose in calling.
Show the answers
1. sole 2. soul 3. sole 4. soul 5. sole
Frequently asked
Are they pronounced the same?
Yes, exactly — which is why the error survives spellcheck. Only the meaning separates them.
Is the fish related to the foot?
Yes. Both come from Latin solea, a sandal — the fish is flat and shaped like one.
More words people confuse
