racquet

You likely know a racquet as the stringed piece of sports equipment used in games like tennis, squash, badminton, and racquetball. It has a handle and a frame with tight strings, and you use it to hit a ball or a shuttlecock. In everyday English, this spelling usually refers to the sports tool. If you mean a loud noise or a dishonest business scheme, the usual spelling is "racket," not "racquet."

The word "racquet" belongs mainly to the world of sports. It refers to a piece of equipment with a handle and a frame strung with tight cords, used to hit a ball or a shuttlecock. You see it in games such as tennis, squash, badminton, and racquetball. A tennis player may swing one across the court for a fast serve, while a badminton player uses a lighter one for quick, sharp shots.

This spelling is important. In modern English, "racquet" is normally used for the sports item. A very close spelling, "racket," is often used for the same item too, especially in general American English. However, "racket" is the usual spelling for the other meanings of the word family, such as a loud noise, a messy commotion, or an illegal scheme like a "protection racket." Because of that, it is best to keep "racquet" tied to sports equipment when you are learning or teaching the word.

So if you are talking about gear for a match, "racquet" makes good sense. If the neighbors are making too much noise, or if a story is about crime, the spelling should almost certainly be "racket." That small spelling difference helps keep the meaning clear.