In your writing and speaking, you might have found yourself wondering which word you should use 'segue' vs 'segway.' If so, you've come to the right place. This article will explore the meaning of each word and inform you on when to use which.
In short, a 'segue' is a transition from one thing to another. A 'Segway' is a motorized vehicle on two wheels.
The words' segue' and 'segway' are often confused. There are several reasons for that.
The first is that 'segue' is an Italian word, so it's a little-known word in the English language, despite the fact it is common for English to borrow words from other languages.
The second reason is that these two words are actually homophones. That means they sound the same but are spelled differently and have contrasting meanings. Some other homophones we've written about include:
But since they're both to be used in entirely different contexts, I want to make sure you understand the meaning of each word so that you no longer confuse them.
A 'segue' portrays the progression from one thing to another. Originally, it was used in music-making, but it's come to be used in many other contexts, too.
It can signify a transition in conversation topics, activities, parts of a story, or situation.
'Segue' can be either a noun or a verb. It comes from the Italian seguire, meaning "to follow."
On the other hand, a Segway is an individual motorized vehicle on two wheels. It's a little like a scooter, except you place both feet on the base.
Segway riding is not only a means of transport but also a popular activity to do as a group, in a setting built for purpose, with a track and sometimes obstacles to swerve around.
Top tip! The word 'Segway' should always be capitalized since it's a brand name, making it a proper noun.
Since these words are homophones, they are pronounced the same. As per the International Phonetics Alphabet, you should pronounce them as such:
/ˈseɡweɪ/
And phonetically, they sound like this:
sey-gwey
Now that we're clear on each word's meaning let's look at the words used in sentences. That way, we can better understand how to use them in real-life situations.
We'll start with 'segue.'
Nice segue there, Nick, but it was a little obvious you were trying to avoid the conversation.
And that provides a great segue into today's topic.
The album starts with a jazzy tone and then segues into more of a hip-hop vibe.
Creating more bike lanes could be an excellent segue for lowering pollution in our city.
Great work, guys; we're going to practice the second song and then segue straight into the third.
Now for some examples of 'Segway' in a sentence:
My son's new hobby is Segways; you can spot him zipping around along the seafront.
Some countries have implemented a ban on using Segways in public due to their dangers.
My new Segway can pick up to quite a high speed.
It's unclear whether bicycle lanes allow Segways.
During rush hour, I like to use my Segway to get around; it helps me avoid heavy traffic.
So you see, the words' segue' and 'segway' have entirely different meanings, and I hope this article has helped you understand when each word should be used. The main thing is to spell them correctly since they sound the same.
If you'd like to learn about more homonyms and other confusing words, head to our blog, where we cover many commonly confused words in the English language.
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