Pedal is a noun or verb to do with feet: a foot-operated lever (a bike pedal, the brake pedal) or the act of pushing one (pedal hard up the hill). Peddle is a verb meaning to sell goods, especially in small amounts or door to door, or to promote ideas (peddle drugs, peddle conspiracy theories). They are homophones — both pronounced /ˈpɛdəl/ — so only the spelling tells them apart.
Pedal and peddle are easy to mix up because they sound exactly the same. Words that share the same pronunciation but have different meanings and spellings are called homophones. Your ear cannot separate them, so you must rely on meaning and a simple spelling trick to choose correctly. The good news is that their meanings are very different — one is about feet and machines, the other about selling — so once you know which is which, the choice becomes clear.
At a Glance: Pedal vs Peddle
| Word | Meaning | Part of Speech | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| pedal | a foot-operated lever; to push such a lever, as on a bicycle | Noun; also a verb | a bike pedal, the brake pedal, pedal hard |
| peddle | to sell goods, especially in small amounts; to promote ideas | Verb | peddle drugs, peddle conspiracy theories, peddle wares |
Using “Pedal”
Pedal can be a noun or a verb. As a noun, it is a lever that you operate with your foot, such as on a bicycle, a car, a piano, or a sewing machine. As a verb, it means to push such a lever, especially to ride a bicycle.
Definition
1. (noun) A foot-operated lever or control: a bicycle pedal, the brake pedal, the accelerator pedal, a piano pedal. 2. (verb) To work the pedals of a bicycle in order to move along; to ride: she pedalled hard up the steep hill. Note the British spelling of the verb forms: pedalled, pedalling.
When to use it
- Parts of a bicycle: put your feet on the pedals
- Car controls: the brake pedal, the accelerator pedal
- Parts of a piano: press the sustain pedal
- As a verb meaning to ride a bike: pedal up the hill
- Anything operated by the foot
She put her feet on the pedals and set off down the lane.
He slammed his foot on the brake pedal just in time.
The pianist pressed the sustain pedal to lengthen the note.
They pedalled hard to reach the top of the hill before dark.
The child was still learning to pedal without stabilisers.
brake / accelerator / bike pedal: press the brake pedal
push the pedals: feet on the pedals
pedal (verb): she pedalled up the hill (British: pedalled, pedalling)
Using “Peddle”
Peddle is a verb. Its original meaning is to travel about selling small goods, as a street trader does. It now also means to sell something illegal or disapproved of, and to promote ideas, opinions, or rumours that other people consider false or harmful.
Definition
1. To sell goods, especially small items, by going from place to place: he peddled brushes door to door. 2. To sell something illegal: they were caught peddling drugs. 3. To promote or spread ideas, usually disapprovingly: politicians who peddle false promises; websites that peddle conspiracy theories. A person who peddles goods is a pedlar (British) or peddler.
When to use it
- Selling small goods, often door to door: peddle their wares
- Selling something illegal: peddle drugs, peddle stolen goods
- Spreading ideas you disapprove of: peddle lies, peddle myths
- Promoting dubious claims: peddle conspiracy theories
- Anywhere you mean “sell” or “push (an idea)”
In the past, traders would peddle their wares from village to village.
The gang was arrested for peddling drugs near the school.
Certain websites exist only to peddle conspiracy theories.
The salesman tried to peddle us an expensive insurance policy we did not need.
The newspaper accused the minister of peddling false promises.
peddle + goods: peddle drugs, peddle wares
peddle + ideas: peddle lies, peddle conspiracy theories
peddle (verb only): they peddled, peddling (British noun: pedlar)
The Key Difference: Foot Lever vs Selling
The single most important thing to remember is that pedal and peddle have nothing to do with each other in meaning — they just happen to sound the same. Pedal is about feet: a foot lever, or pushing one. Peddle is about selling goods or promoting ideas. If the word involves a foot, a bike, or a car control, you want pedal. If it means “to sell” or “to push an idea,” you want peddle.
Foot / bike / control → pedal:
He pressed the brake pedal. (= a foot lever)
Sell / push an idea → peddle:
They peddle counterfeit goods. (= sell them)
Because they are homophones, no listener can hear the difference — the spelling only matters in writing. So when you write, pause and ask yourself: am I talking about a foot lever, or about selling? That one question solves almost every mistake.
Common Mistakes
She pressed the brake peddle to stop the car.
She pressed the brake pedal to stop the car. (= a foot lever; one d)
They were arrested for pedalling drugs.
They were arrested for peddling drugs. (= selling them; two d's)
He peddled his bike all the way home.
He pedalled his bike all the way home. (= rode it; one d, doubled l in British English)
The website pedals dangerous myths.
The website peddles dangerous myths. (= promotes and spreads them)
Special Expressions and Fixed Phrases
Several common expressions are fixed with pedal and cannot be spelled with peddle:
- brake / accelerator pedal — the foot controls in a car
- bike pedals — the levers you push to ride: feet on the pedals
- pedal to the metal — to drive as fast as possible
- soft / sustain pedal — the foot levers on a piano
And several are fixed with peddle:
- peddle drugs — to sell illegal drugs: caught peddling drugs
- peddle (one’s) wares — to sell one’s goods: traders peddling their wares
- peddle lies / myths / theories — to spread false ideas: peddle conspiracy theories
- peddle influence — to use one’s position for gain
Pedal begins with ped-, the same root as pedal’s foot relatives pedestrian and pedicure, which are all about feet — and it has just one d. Peddle has a double d, just like dedal’s selling cousins peddler and deal. If the word involves a foot, a bike, or a car control, choose pedal; if it means “to sell” or “to push an idea,” choose peddle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practice Pedal vs Peddle
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