What’s the difference between peel and peal? Peel can be used as both a noun and a verb, and peal can be used as a noun. It’s easy to get these two words confused, so read this post to learn the difference.

Definitions
peel (verb): to strip off an outer layer of
Example: Lawrence peeled the skin off of his apple.

peel (noun): the skin or rind of a fruit
Example: Becky threw her potato peels in the trash.

peal (noun): 1) the loud ringing of bells; 2) a loud sound or succession of sounds
Examples: 1) Gina heard the peal of the church bells from across town.
2) Ryan let out peals of laughter at his buddy’s lunchroom antics.

Etymology
Peel comes from the Latin word pilare, which means to remove the hair from. It came into English in the thirteenth century.

Peal is short for appeal, which in Middle English meant a summons to church service. It came into the English language in the fourteenth century.

Quiz:
Fill in the blanks with either peel or peal. The answers are below.

1. Grace slipped on a banana _______ and broke her nose.
   2. Stan grew excited when he heard the _______ of the day’s last school bell.
   3. Grandma _______ed eight pears for the pie.
   4. ____s of loud sobs escaped from Sammy when he learned a dragon ate his cat.

Answers:
1. peel (noun) 2. peal 3. peel (verb) 4. peal

Claim your free author coaching session here: https://www.dotanddashllc.com/coaching