Fense vs. Fence — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 21, 2024
"Fense" is an incorrect spelling, while "Fence" is the correct one, referring to a barrier, railing, or enclosure.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Fense or Fence
How to spell Fence?
Fense
Incorrect Spelling
Fence
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Remember the saying, "Mend the fence," both words end in "ce."
Think of "Fence" as ending in "C" for "Correct."
A "Fence" encloses, and "enclose" has a "c."
Visualize a picket fence; each picket resembles the letter "C."
"Fense" lacks defense in spelling; "Fence" is right.
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How Do You Spell Fence Correctly?
Incorrect: She leaned against the fense, watching the sunset.
Correct: She leaned against the fence, watching the sunset.
Incorrect: They are painting the fense white.
Correct: They are painting the fence white.
Incorrect: The fense around the garden keeps the rabbits out.
Correct: The fence around the garden keeps the rabbits out.
Incorrect: We need to fix the broken fense before the cattle escape.
Correct: We need to fix the broken fence before the cattle escape.
Incorrect: He tried to climb the fense but fell.
Correct: He tried to climb the fence but fell.
Fence Definitions
A fence is a structure that encloses an area, typically outdoors, and is usually constructed from posts that are connected by boards, wire, rails or netting. A fence differs from a wall in not having a solid foundation along its whole length.Alternatives to fencing include a ditch (sometimes filled with water, forming a moat).
A fence is a structure that encloses an area, typically outdoors.
She painted the wooden fence white.
A fence is a guard or screen in fencing sport.
They sparred with foils, protected by their fences.
A fence can refer to a dealer in stolen goods.
The thief sold the watch to a fence.
"On the fence" means being undecided about something.
She's on the fence about joining the club.
Fencing refers to the activity of fighting with swords.
At the Olympics, he won a medal in fencing.
A structure serving as an enclosure, a barrier, or a boundary, usually made of posts or stakes joined together by boards, wire, or rails.
An adjustable guide with a flat edge used on a table saw and positioned parallel to the plane of the cutting attachment in order to keep the board properly positioned for the cut to be made at the correct distance from the board's edge.
One who receives and sells stolen goods.
A place where stolen goods are received and sold.
(Archaic) A means of defense; a protection.
To surround or enclose with a fence or other barrier.
To separate or keep out by means of a fence or other barrier
Fenced off one field from another.
Fenced out the deer from the garden.
To sell (stolen goods) to a fence.
To ward off; keep away.
To defend.
To practice the art or sport of fencing.
To avoid giving direct answers; hedge.
To act as a conduit for stolen goods.
A thin artificial barrier that separates two pieces of land or forms a perimeter enclosing the lands of a house, building, etc.
(informal) Someone who hides or buys and sells stolen goods, a criminal middleman for transactions of stolen goods.
(by extension) The place whence such a middleman operates.
Skill in oral debate.
The art or practice of fencing.
A guard or guide on machinery.
(figuratively) A barrier, for example an emotional barrier.
A memory barrier.
(transitive) To enclose, contain or separate by building fence.
(transitive) To defend or guard.
(transitive) To engage in the selling or buying of stolen goods.
To engage in the sport of fencing.
To jump over a fence.
(intransitive) To conceal the truth by giving equivocal answers; to hedge; to be evasive.
That which fends off attack or danger; a defense; a protection; a cover; security; shield.
Let us be backed with God and with the seas,Which he hath given for fence impregnable.
A fence betwixt us and the victor's wrath.
An inclosure about a field or other space, or about any object; especially, an inclosing structure of wood, iron, or other material, intended to prevent intrusion from without or straying from within.
Leaps o'er the fence with ease into the fold.
A projection on the bolt, which passes through the tumbler gates in locking and unlocking.
A receiver of stolen goods, or a place where they are received.
To fend off danger from; to give security to; to protect; to guard.
To fence my ear against thy sorceries.
To make a defense; to guard one's self of anything, as against an attack; to give protection or security, as by a fence.
Vice is the more stubborn as well as the more dangerous evil, and therefore, in the first place, to be fenced against.
To practice the art of attack and defense with the sword or with the foil, esp. with the smallsword, using the point only.
He will fence with his own shadow.
A barrier that serves to enclose an area
A dealer in stolen property
Enclose with a fence;
We fenced in our yard
Receive stolen goods
Fight with fencing swords
Surround with a wall in order to fortify
Have an argument about something
Fence Meaning in a Sentence
The farmer put up a fence to protect his crops.
The white picket fence is a classic American symbol.
She decorated the fence with lights for the party.
They installed a metal fence for extra security.
The fence separates the two properties.
Adding a gate made the fence more functional.
A tall fence can provide privacy for homeowners.
The storm damaged several sections of the fence.
They replaced the old fence with a newer, stronger one.
The fence around the pool ensures safety for the children.
The children painted the fence as a summer project.
Climbing the fence is prohibited.
A privacy fence can also reduce noise from the street.
A fence can also serve as a boundary marker.
The new fence improved the overall look of the property.
The rustic fence matched the style of the countryside.
The fence was designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Installing a fence can be a DIY project or done by professionals.
They checked the fence regularly for any signs of wear or damage.
The vine-covered fence added charm to the garden.
They hung bird feeders on the fence to attract wildlife.
The fence was adorned with flowers for the wedding.
The fence was built high enough to keep out deer.
The dog barked at anyone who walked past the fence.
Fence Idioms & Phrases
Fence-sitter
A person who remains neutral or undecided in a dispute or matter of choice.
In every election, there are always a few fence-sitters.
On the fence
Unable to decide about something.
She was on the fence about accepting the job offer.
Sitting on the fence
Undecided or neutral about a decision.
When it came to choosing a side, he was always sitting on the fence.
Good fences make good neighbors
Setting clear and respected boundaries can lead to better relationships.
They never had any issues, proving that good fences make good neighbors.
Pound the fence
To insist on one’s opinion or position, especially aggressively.
He pounded the fence about the policy change, but no one was convinced.
Fence off
To separate or enclose an area with a fence.
They decided to fence off the garden to protect it from animals.
Ride the fence
Similar to sitting on the fence, where a person avoids making a clear choice between options.
He's been riding the fence on this issue for months.
Back against the fence
In a position where there are no other options or ways to retreat.
With his back against the fence, he had to confront the issue directly.
Jump the fence
To change sides or opinions.
Halfway through the debate, he jumped the fence and supported the other argument.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence
People often desire what they do not have, thinking it to be better than what they do.
He always envied his friends' lifestyles, forgetting that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
Build a higher fence
To take extra precautions or strengthen defenses.
After the breach, they had to build a higher fence around their data security.
Fence mender
A person who repairs damaged relationships.
She acted as the fence mender, helping the feuding friends reconcile.
Cut the fence
To bypass restrictions or barriers, sometimes illegally.
To get into the concert, some tried to cut the fence instead of buying tickets.
Take down the fence
To remove barriers or obstacles, either literally or metaphorically.
The community worked together to take down the fence that divided their neighborhood.
Beyond the fence
Referring to what lies outside the known or comfortable area.
She always wondered what was beyond the fence, yearning for adventure.
Tear down this fence
A call to remove divisions, inspired by Ronald Reagan's "Tear down this wall" speech.
The community leader's speech encouraged the city to tear down this fence and unite.
Fence in
To restrict or confine within an area.
They fenced in the play area to make it safer for the children.
Fence walker
Someone who carefully navigates between different opinions or groups.
As a diplomat, he was a skilled fence walker, maintaining peace between nations.
Common Curiosities
Which vowel is used before Fence?
The letter "e" is used before "fence."
What is the root word of Fence?
The root word is "defens" from Middle English, meaning defense or protection.
Why is it called Fence?
The term "fence" comes from Middle English "fens", short for "defens", meaning defense, protection.
What is the singular form of Fence?
The singular form is "fence."
Which preposition is used with Fence?
Prepositions like "on," "behind," and "over" can be used with "fence."
What is the verb form of Fence?
The verb form is "to fence."
Is Fence an adverb?
No, "fence" is not an adverb.
Is Fence a negative or positive word?
"Fence" is neutral, neither inherently negative nor positive.
Which article is used with Fence?
Both "a" and "the" can be used with "fence" depending on the context.
What is the plural form of Fence?
The plural form is "fences."
What is the pronunciation of Fence?
Fence is pronounced as /fɛns/.
Which conjunction is used with Fence?
Standard conjunctions such as "and" or "or" can be used, depending on the context.
Is Fence a countable noun?
Yes, "fence" is a countable noun. You can have one fence, two fences, etc.
Is the word Fence is Gerund?
No, "fencing" would be the gerund form.
How many syllables are in Fence?
"Fence" has one syllable.
Is Fence an abstract noun?
No, "fence" is a concrete noun.
Is Fence a vowel or consonant?
"Fence" is a word composed of both vowels and consonants.
What is a stressed syllable in Fence?
The entire word "fence" is stressed as it's a single syllable.
What is the first form of Fence?
The first form (base form) is "fence."
Is the Fence term a metaphor?
It can be, as in "a fence between two friends" meaning a barrier or distance between them.
What part of speech is Fence?
"Fence" is primarily a noun but can also be a verb.
What is the opposite of Fence?
Opening or gap.
What is the third form of Fence?
The third form (past participle) is "fenced."
Is Fence a noun or adjective?
"Fence" is primarily a noun but can also be a verb as in "to fence off an area."
Is Fence a collective noun?
No, "fence" is not a collective noun.
Is the word Fence is imperative?
It can be, as in the command, "Fence off that area!"
Is the word “Fence” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Fence" can function as a direct object, as in "I built a fence." It's not typically used as an indirect object.
How do we divide Fence into syllables?
"Fence" is not divided as it's a single syllable.
What is another term for Fence?
Barrier, enclosure, or railing.
Which determiner is used with Fence?
Determiners such as "the," "a," "this," or "that" can be used with "fence."
What is the second form of Fence?
The second form (past simple) is "fenced."
How is Fence used in a sentence?
"They built a wooden fence around the garden to keep out the rabbits."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
