US and UK English
disc vs disk
Regional usage, spelling, and examples
Disc and disk name a flat circular object and sound alike. Modern conventions favor disc for optical media and disk for magnetic computer storage.
Regional decision guide
Use the technology or fixed term as the spelling guide
There is no audible distinction, so domain convention matters more than accent.
Optical media and common British usage
disc
Disc with C
Use disc for CDs, DVDs, disc brakes, and many anatomical terms.
Insert the compact disc into the player.
Computing and common American usage
disk
Disk with K
Use disk for magnetic storage, hard disks, and disk drives.
Back up the files before replacing the hard disk.
Direct answer
What is the difference?
The spellings overlap in general meaning, but technical conventions provide a useful split: compact discs, optical discs, and disc brakes usually take C; hard disks and disk drives usually take K. Anatomy and brand names follow their own established spelling. British prose has historically used disc more broadly than American prose.
Optional listening · American English
Hear the shared pronunciation
These terms share a standard pronunciation. Use the recordings to learn the sound, then use meaning and context to choose the spelling.
Word 1
disc
noun
A thin, flat, circular object, especially an optical recording medium.
US pronunciation
/dɪsk/
UK IPA
/dɪsk/
Hear three samples
How to pronounce it
Use the short vowel in “sit” and finish with the consonant cluster SK. The C is pronounced /k/.
Word 2
disk
noun
A flat circular object, especially a device or medium for computer storage.
US pronunciation
/dɪsk/
UK IPA
/dɪsk/
Hear three samples
How to pronounce it
Pronounce it exactly like disc, closing with SK. The final written K adds no extra sound.
Listen in context
6 example sentences
Context makes meaning, grammar, and natural rhythm easier to understand. Every sentence has its own playback.
Examples with
disc
- The album was released on compact disc.
- The mechanic replaced both front disc brakes.
- A damaged spinal disc caused the pain.
Examples with
disk
- The computer is running out of disk space.
- Save a second copy on an external hard disk.
- The utility checks the disk for errors.