Segway or Segue: Which Is Correct?
Updated · Which One Is Correct editorial team
Quick answer: The correct word for a smooth transition is segue. Segway is a trademarked brand name for a two-wheeled vehicle. Use segue when describing a move from one topic to another without awkward pauses or jarring changes in direction.
The Short Answer
The correct spelling for a smooth transition is segue, while Segway is a trademarked brand name for a personal transportation device.
People confuse them because the words sound identical when spoken aloud. The brand name was likely chosen for its phonetic similarity to the transition term, leading to widespread misspellings in casual writing.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Form | Status | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| segue | Standard English | Describing a smooth transition between topics |
| Segway | Trademarked Brand | Referring to the electric two-wheeled vehicle |
| segway | Misspelling | Never use this form in formal writing |
| segue | Verb or Noun | Explaining how one idea leads to another |
Correct Example Sentences
- The speaker made a smooth segue from politics to economics.
- She used a clever joke to segue into her main point.
- He rode his Segway through the crowded city park.
- The documentary had a jarring lack of segue between chapters.
- Please provide a better segue to introduce the next topic.
- I saw a tourist riding a Segway near the museum.
- The editor asked for a smoother segue in the second act.
- His Segway broke down halfway through the tour.
- We need a natural segue to avoid confusing the audience.
- The guide rode a Segway to keep up with the group.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
- Let me make a segway to the next topic.
- Let me make a segue to the next topic.
- He drove his segway down the street.
- He drove his Segway down the street.
- There was no segway between the songs.
- There was no segue between the songs.
- I bought a new segway for commuting.
- I bought a new Segway for commuting.
- The host struggled to find a segway.
- The host struggled to find a segue.
- Park your segway in the designated area.
- Park your Segway in the designated area.
A Quick Test You Can Use
Ask yourself if you are describing movement of ideas or movement of a person. If you are connecting thoughts, scenes, or topics smoothly, use segue. If you are talking about a motorized stand-up scooter, capitalize Segway to respect the brand trademark.
Related Word Pairs
- Accept vs Except
- Use accept to receive; use except to exclude.
- Advice vs Advise
- Advice is a noun; advise is a verb.
- Affect vs Effect
- Affect is usually a verb; effect is usually a noun.
- Loose vs Lose
- Loose means not tight; lose means to misplace.
- Their vs There
- Their shows possession; there indicates a place.
More Example Sentences
- The presenter used a witty remark to segue into the budget discussion.
- Tourists often rent a Segway to explore the historic waterfront district.
- A sudden change in topic requires a smooth segue to keep listeners engaged.
- She parked her Segway near the entrance before entering the gallery.
- The author crafted a subtle segue from the childhood memories to adult struggles.
- Maintenance staff checked the Segway battery before the morning patrol.
- Use a transitional phrase to create a logical segue between paragraphs.
- The company fleet of Segways helped visitors navigate the large campus.
- His speech lacked a clear segue, leaving the audience confused.
- Balancing on a Segway can be tricky on uneven cobblestone paths.
Quick Practice
The speaker needed a natural to move from the introduction to the main argument.
segue
He rented a two-wheeled to tour the botanical gardens.
Segway
The film director edited the scene to ensure a smooth between the dialogue and the music.
segue
Please charge your overnight so it is ready for the morning commute.
Segway
There was an abrupt in the conversation that caught everyone off guard.
segue
The security guard rode his around the perimeter of the event.
Segway
Frequently Asked Questions
Is segway ever correct?
No, segway is a misspelling. The transition word is segue, and the vehicle brand is capitalized as Segway. Never use the lowercase segway in any context.
Why do people spell it segway?
The brand name Segway sounds like the word segue. This phonetic similarity causes many writers to incorrectly apply the vehicle name spelling to the transition term.
Can segue be a verb?
Yes, you can segue from one topic to another. It functions as both a noun describing the transition and a verb describing the act of transitioning smoothly.
Is Segway a generic term?
No, Segway is a registered trademark. Use the capitalized brand name for the specific vehicle. For other similar scooters, use generic terms like electric scooter.
