What is Homophone?
Two or more words that sound alike but differ in meaning and spelling are termed as homophone. Homophone is a part of homonyms.
Here we would not discuss the defining aspect of homophone, homograph, or homonym but rather example of homophone as a part of vocabulary building series. So without further ado, let’s get started.
Example of homophone
Here we have tried to enlist all important homophone which are going to be useful for any competitive exam that ask vocabulary related questions.
Short code used in this post:
n=noun; adj=adjective; v=verb; adv=adverb; prep=preposition, int=interjection; syn=synonym; V1=present form of verb, V2=past form of verb; V3=past participle form of verb
| Abandon (v) – leave Abundant (adj) – plenty; rich enough in something |
| Accede (v) – agreed Exceed (v) – go beyond |
| Accept – receive Except – with the exception of |
| Access – right to meet or go close to Excess – more than |
| Adapt (v) – adjust Adopt (v)– take Adept (adj) – dexterous or skillful |
| Addict (v) – bound to addiction Edict (n) – a formal or authoritative proclamation |
| Advice (n) – counsel, information or suggestion given Advise (v) – to give advice |
| Affect (v) – influence # Affected by alcoholic drink or drugs. Effect (n) – result from a particular action # The lethal effects of hard drugs. |
| Affluent – abundant in supply Effluent – waste stream |
| Air – atmosphere Heir – inheritor Ere – The preposition and conjunction ere is a somewhat old-fashioned word meaning “before.” |
| Aisle – a corridor or passageway Isle – an island |
| Alimentary (adj) – relating to nourishment or sustenance Elementary (adj) – relating to the rudiments of a subject || not decomposable into elements or other primary constituents # an elementary astronomy course |
| All ready – everyone/everything is prepared Already – at or before this time; previously |
| All right – everything is okay Alright – alternative spelling of all right. Many people dislike it and regard it as incorrect, so it’s best to avoid using alright in formal writing. In formal writing go with All right. |
| All together – total amount or group Altogether – wholly, entirely, completely |
| All ways – in every way Always – all the time |
| Allay (v)– to mitigate, alleviate Alley (n) – a narrow street with walls on both side Ally (n) – a country or state which works together for mutual benefit specially for military reason # During the World War-I, Turkey was an ally of Germany. Alloy (n)– an alloy is a combination of metals # Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. |
| Allowed – permitted Aloud – with sound # Speaking aloud is not allowed here. |
| Allusion (n) – an indirect or passing reference, citation # an allusion to Shakespeare Illusion (n) – something imagined as real # The impression of calm in the office is just an illusion. Elusion (n) – an escape or avoidance from something # Practice of tax evasion and elusion is not good. |
| Alter – change Altar – a raised place for holy offerings |
| Alternate (adj) – one after another Alternative – another option |
| Anecdote – short, interesting and amusing account of a real incident Syn: episode, gag, incident, recital Antidote – something that counteracts poison |
| Angel – a heavenly thing Angle – a figure formed by the divergence of two straight line from one point |
| Anonymous (adj) – unknown authorship Unanimous (adj) – two or more people are in complete agreement # The jury returned a unanimous verdict of guilty after a short deliberation. |
| Apposite – suitable and right for the occasion: relevant Syn: apt, pertinent # an apposite phrase/quotation/remark # The film starts in a graveyard, an apposite image for the decaying society which is the theme of the film. Opposite – antonym |
| Arc – a part of circle Arch – a curved part of a building |
| Artist – one who creates painting or drawing professionally or as a hobby Artiste – a professional entertainer, especially a singer or dancer. |
| Ascent (n)– climbing Ascend (v) – to climb Assent (n)– consent |
| Assay (n) – testing for ingredients or quality of a metal or ore Essay (n) – composition |
| Assistance – help given Assistants – helpers |
| Bail – release on security Bale – big bundles Bell – bell that rings like calling bell |
| Band – a group; a belt Banned – excluded or prohibited. It is V2 and V3 of ban. # Porn is banned in many countries. |
| Bare – uncovered, naked Bear – a large furry mammal Bear – carry Beer – a type of alcoholic drink |
| Basilica (n) – one kind of building mainly used as church. This were more common during Roman empire Basilisk (n) – It’s a mythological beast most often depicted as a reptile and assumed to have the power to cause death with a single glance |
| Beach (n) – shore Beech (n) – a type of fruit Bitch (n) – female dog |
| Beat – surpass Beet – a type of plant from where sugar is made apart from sugarcane |
| Bellow (v) – producing sound Below (prep) – beneath, under |
| Berry – a fruit like black berry Bury – placed underground |
| Berth – sleeping place in a train Birth – to produce a baby |
| Beside – by the side of Besides – in addition to |
| Blade (n) – cutting edge of a tool or weapon # a packet of razor blade # The blade on this knife isn’t very sharp. Bled – V2 of bleed which means losing of blood due to some accident |
| Blew (v)– V2 of blow. Blow means to to move and make currents of air # The tin of the roof near Sutkabari blew away in ferocious wind. Blue (v) – a colour |
| Bloc – groups of people and nations # bloc of young voters # Cold War-era Eastern bloc of nations Block – a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides) # The pyramids’ were built with large stone block. # He lives in the next block. |
| Boar (n) – a male hog Bore (v) – to drill into || to mentally tire someone Bore (n) – someone who is mentally tire |
| Boarder – a person who pays to stay and receive meals in someone else’s house Border – a boundary |
| Born – V3 of bear which means to give birth. born is always used in passive voice [bear–bore–born] # Albert Einstein was born in 1879. # She bore twelve children in twenty-two years. This sentence simply means, She had twelve children … Borne – V3 of bear which means to tolerate something you dislike. [bear–bore–borne] # Tom can’t bear Jerry most of the time. Note: -borne is used as suffix like airborne, waterborne |
| Bough (n) – a large branch of a tree Bow (v)– lowered heads in reverence |
| Braise (v) – to fry food gently and then stew it slowly in a little liquid. # I braised the beef and vegetables the day before. # He wanted to braise meat. Braze (v) – form, fix, or join by soldering with brass at high temperature. # The company adapted its process to braze the flute components under vacuum. Brays (n) – plural of bray, the loud, harsh cry of a donkey or mule. # The mule uttered its insane bray. |
| Brake – a stopping mechanism of a vehicle Break – smash to pieces |
| Bravity (n) – braveness or bravery || the anti-wrinkle cleavage bra used during sleeping # I like his bravity and his new found support for his party and hoping he will at least stay active to reach that goal. [Usage notes – An error by non-native speakers.] Brevity (n) – the quality of expressing things in a few words; terseness || shortness of life # His writings are role model of clarity and brevity. # The brevity of life in inevitable. |
| Breach (n, v) – an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct Breech (n, v) – the part of a cannon behind the bore |
| Breath (n) – air inhaled and exhaled Breathe (v) – to inhale and exhale |
| Bridal – marriage. The word is related to bride. Bridle – harness of horse |
| Broach (v) – to pierce, break into, or open up || to introduce (a topic) for discussion or make (something) known for the first time. Broach (n) – a tapered cutting tool or a hole made by such a tool. Brooch (n only) – an ornamental pin that’s usually worn at the neck. Broch (n) – a prehistoric circular stone tower in north Scotland and adjacent islands |
| Bust (n) – a sculptural portrayal of a person’s head and shoulders Burst (v) – to feel a strong emotion to do something # The wife burst into tears when she saw her army husband came home by surprise. |
| But – except Butt – a push or blow, especially one given with the head. |
| Buy – purchase By – a preposition Bye – goodbye, au revoir |
| Calender – (n) a machine in which cloth or paper is pressed by rollers to glaze or smooth it || (v) press in a calender. Calendar (n) – the one we use to see dates particular year |
| Callus (n) – a part of plant tissue Callous (adj) – insensitive |
| Can’t – cannot/can not Cant (n & v) – hypocritical and sanctimonious talk, typically of a moral, religious, or political nature. |
| Canon (n) – a Christian priest with special duties in a cathedral # He is a canon in Delhi Cathedral. Cannon (n) – a large, heavy piece of artillery, typically mounted on wheels, formerly used in warfare. # As the soldiers approached the castle, we fired a cannon to discourage them. |
| Canvas (n) – a closely woven cloth used for such things as tents, sails, and oil paintings. Syn: Tarpaulin, tenting # Dell loves sleeping under canvas. [in a tent] Canvass (v & n) – to look over carefully or to solicit votes, orders, or opinions. # These two canvases by Hockney would sell for £1,500,000. #The instructor must canvass the students to find a time when most can leave the campus for several hours. |
| Capital – chief city || money Capitol – a particular building |
| Casual – careless Causal – cause and effect |
| Cavalry – a military company on horseback Calvary – the hill outside the city of Jerusalem where Jesus Christ was crucified |
| Cell – a small room Sell – give in the exchange of money Sale – notice to sell Sail – moving on the water surface Shell – hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles; carapace, cuticle, shield |
| Censor (n/v) – to censor is to disallow portions or the entireties of books, cinemas, etc. to suppress unacceptable parts # Censor Board # The catalogue reproduces a news photograph of “beach censors” arresting women in such offending garb. Censure (v) – harsh criticism; reprimand Censer (n) – container for burning incense during religious ritual Sensor (n) – a device which reacts to certain physical condition like heat, light, radiation etc. and response accordingly. # The industry use high quality pressure sensor to avoid hazard. |
| Cereal – food grain Serial – belonging to the series |
| Cession – giving up Session – period of sitting |
| Chagrin (n & v) – a feeling of being upset, disappointed, or annoyed, esp. because of a failure or mistake # My children have never shown an interest in music, much to my chagrin. Chagreen (n) [alternative of shagreen] – rawhide with a rough, granular surface, made from the skin of the horse, seal, etc. |
| Cheap – low in price Cheep – a short, high squeaky cry made by a young bird # The bird gave a shrill cheep Chip – slices # microchip; potato chips |
| Chord – a straight path joining an arc of a circle Cord – string Curd – fermented milk product like yogurt |
| Cite – mention Site – ground Sight – vision |
| Click – clicking of mouse Clique – a narrow exclusive circle of people with a common purpose |
| Clinch (v) – to get or win something after a long process or time # After years of preparation Amit had finally clinched the UPSC. Clench (v) – to hold something tightly in anger or with determination. # The boy clenched his fist and waved it to the his friend after quarrelling. # He muttered angrily though clenched teeth. |
| Coach – trainer Couch – furniture for sitting |
| Coalescence (n) [v: coalesce] –the joining or merging of elements to form one mass or whole. # The two lakes coalesced into one. Coalition (n) –allied group, association # By forming a coalition, the rebels and the opposition parties defeated the government |
| Coarse – rough Course – direction |
| College – institute for higher study Collage – picture combining several pictures |
| Collision – the act of colliding Collusion – secret agreement |
| Command – order Commend – spoke favourably of |
| Complacent (adj) – smug, self-satisfied Complicit (adj) – helping other to commit a crime or any wrong doing Complaisant (n) – willing to please others or to accept what they do or say without protest. # He is a complaisant husband. |
| Complement (n) – something added to complete or embellish or make perfect # They made him king. – In this sentence “king” is object complement. Compliment (n) – regard and praise |
| Concur (v) – agree Conquer (v) – occupy by force |
| Confidant (n) – a person to whom secrets can be confided Confident (adj) – a person who has self-confidence |
| Conscious (adj) – awake or alert Conscientious (adj) – wishing to do one’s work or duty well and thoroughly || relating to a person’s conscience # In most of the cases, in government system the more your salary is, the less conscientious you are about your job. Conscience (n) – a feeling that tells you right from wrong # Only his own scientific conscience may guide the scholar. |
| Contiguous – adjacent, nearby # Living in city make you contiguous to court, offices, school, police station etc. by default. Contagious –a disease that spread from one person or organism to another, typically by direct contact. # Covid-19 is a contagious disease. |
| Corps – a military division # Diplomatic corps Cops – (slang) Police officers.[plural of cop] Corpse – a dead body Crops – grains. [plural of crop] Corpus – a collection of writings |
| Corpulent – fat, obese Copulent – Fluids created though the act of sexual intimacy as a result of copulation. |
| Council (n) – assembly Counsel (v) – advocate to give advice Consul (n) – an official appointed by a state to live in a foreign city and protect the state’s citizens and interests there. # The British consul in Israel Syn: ambassador, diplomat, chargé d’affaires, attaché, envoy, emissary, plenipotentiary [Councillor] vs. [Counsellor] |
| Currant – a small, round fruit that grows on bushes and is eaten fresh or cooked # blackcurrants/redcurrants # currant bushes Current – electricity || recent |
| Cymbal – a common percussion instrument. see the image Symbol – sign for something # Virus’ pen was a symbol of excellence in “3 Idiots”. |
| Dairy – place for milk cow Diary – a daily record of events |
| Date – the day of the week or month || a Arabian fruit Debt – money on owes |
| Dean – academic head Din – noise |
| Dear – lovable Deer – animal deer |
| Decade – 10 years Decayed – lost force, V2, V3 of decay |
| Deceased – dead Diseased – sick. (adjective of disease) |
| Decent (adj) – nice # He is a decent guy. Descent (n) – a going down # A passenger jet forced to make an emergency descent was not properly maintained. Descend (v) – to move downward # Wait for the elevator to descend. # The workers descended into a hole. Dissent (n) – disagreement |
| Deed (n) – legal document of ownership of property. # land deed. Did (v) – performed, V2 of do. |
| Defer (v) – to postpone an action or event # They deferred the decision until February. Differ (v) – disagreed # I beg to differ. |
| Deference (n) – respect and esteem shown to another person due his/her experience or power Difference (n) – disagreement. this is noun form of differ Deferens (adj) – a vas deferens of male reproductive system # Correlation between epidydimal length and fertilization rate in men with congenital absence of the vas deferens. [deferential vs differential] |
| Demean (v) – debase/humiliate/abase/disparage/humble Demesne (n) – possession of real property in one’s own right. |
| Demure (adj) – (esp. of women and girls) quiet and well behaved # She gave him a demure smile. Demur (v) – to express disagreement or refuse to do something # The lawyer requested a break in the court case, but the judge demurred. |
| Deprecate (v) – to not approve of something # He always deprecates my achievements. Depreciate (v) – to lose value in terms of condition or money over time # The mobile I bought last month has depreciated a lot. |
| Desert (n) – sandy waste land Desert (v) – to abandon Dessert (n) – fruit or sweets served as the last item of a meal |
| Device (n) – a machine Devise (v) – to invent a plan, system, object, etc., usually using your intelligence or imagination # He’s good at devising mind maps to explain complex topics of Engineering mechanics to students in class. |
| Devote (v) – to invest most of your time, money, effort etc. to a activity # She devoted her life to a public service. Devout (adj) – strong believer of a religion who obey all they principles of that religion # A devout Hindu/Muslim/Christian |
| Dew – drops formed by the moisture Due – amount need to be paid, owing |
| Die – case to leave Dye – color |
| Dim – faint Deem – consider |
| Dip – bathed or immersed in water Deep – profound |
| Discreet (adj) – careful and prudent in one’s speech or actions, especially in order to keep something confidential or to avoid embarrassment # He watched the proceeding from discreet distance. Discrete (adj) – individually separate and distinct # Discrete Signal |
| Disdain (n) – contempt/hatred/loathe Distend (v) – become wider |
| Disparate (adj) – different in many ways # Disparate ideas. # A south Indian girl got married to north India and found the culture so utterly disparate. Desperate (adj) – to want something madly # He was lit with a desperate desire to help. |
| Divers – those who dive into water Diverse – many and different |
| Dole – free gift or payments Doll – toys |
| Dose – unit # Dose of medicine Doze – having light sleep |
| Draft – make a rough copy Draught – amount drunk at a time |
| Dual – having two division # Dual SIM phone Duel – formal combat between two persons or groups |
| Edge – border Age – years of life |
| Elicit (v) – evoke or draw out (a response, answer, or fact) from someone in reaction to one’s own action or questions Syn: obtain, draw out, extract, bring out, evoke, call forth, bring forth, induce, prompt, generate, engender, trigger, provoke, educe # They invariably elicit exclamations of approval from guests. # Good incentives can elicit greater effort. Illicit (adj) – illegal or not approved by custom # An illicit affairs between them. |
| Eligible (adj)– fit for a post Illegible (adj) – which cannot be read # His handwriting is illegible. |
| Elusive (adj) – skilful at eluding capture, it is adj form of elude Illusive (adj) – deceptive, it id adj form of illusion; illusory |
| Emigration (n)– leaving the country of origin to settle elsewhere Immigration (n) – coming into a country to settle [Emigrate] vs. [Immigrate] [Emigrant] vs. [Immigrant] |
| Eminent (adj) – distinguished, renewed, prominent [n: Eminence] # Several eminent alumni came to the Golden jubilee of the Institute. Imminent (adj) – about to happen [n: Imminence] # They were in imminent danger of being swept away. # They sat by the shore, unaware of the imminence of disaster. Immanent (adj) – existing or operating within; inherent [n: Immanence] # The protection of liberties is immanent in constitutional arrangements. |
| Endorsement – a public indication of approval or support. Indorsement – a legal signature on some financial documents, like checks. |
| Ensure – guarantee Insure – covered for loss |
| Envelope (n) – an enclosure used for mailing Envelop (v) – wrap up, cover, or surround completely |
| Erupt (v) – to explode suddenly and violently, to break out dramatically, to exhibit a mood change # The volcano erupted with tremendous force. # war could erupt at any moment # the audience erupted in applause Irrupt (v)– It means to enter suddenly or forcibly, to burst in, to break in. Irrupt also describes an animal or plant population suddenly increasing in numbers in a particular region. # The crowd irrupted in a fervour of patriotism. [eruption] vs. [irruption] |
| Exceptional – outstanding, extraordinary or even unusual. # He is an exceptional singer. Exceptionable – offensive or objectionable. # His reply was exceptionable. Everyone else walked out of the meeting. # The songs of this movie are highly exceptionable. |
| Extant (adj) – still existing Extinct (adj) – no longer existing Extent (n) – the degree of something |
| Fail – was unable # Even after 3rd trial she failed to clear the CSE by UPSC. Fell – killing # Felling of tree causes soil erosion. |
| Faint (adj) – weak ( # faint hearted man Feint (v) – deceive opponent by changing your move # Tom feinted to the left, then turned right. |
| Fair – reasonable Fare – prices of tickets |
| Far – a great distant Fir – a type of tree Fur – made of animal hair |
| Farm – land of growing corps Firm – steady # Firm determination |
| Farther – more distant Further – more |
| Fawn – a young deer Faun – one of a class of lustful rural gods, represented as a man with a goat’s horns, ears, legs, and tail. |
| Feat – skilful demonstration Feet – legs Fit – all right |
| Fleet (n) – a group warships, submarines, aircraft etc. Flit (v) – Fly or move lightly from one place to another [flit–flitted–flitted] # The hummingbird flitted among the branches. |
| Flour (n) – a soft powder Flower (n) – blossom |
| Forego (v) – to go before # The outcome of the election was said to be a forgone conclusion. # a foregone conclusion Forgo (v) – to do without read in detail: |
| Foreword – A foreword is an introduction to a book. [Foreword only has one meaning in modern usage: a short introductory section in a book. A foreword is generally not written by the main author. When the part is written by the main author, it is a preface. Some books have both.] Forward – Forward can mean a direction, a player on a sports team, or an action when sending emails or other information. Froward – A person who is difficult to deal with; obstinate Nb: Foreward is not a word, rather it is a common spelling error of the words foreword and forward. |
| Formally – in a formal manner Formerly – at an earlier time |
| Forth (adv & prep) – (from a place) out or away, or (from a point in time) forward || out so that it can be seen or heard Fourth – next after third |
| Foul – bad Fowl – chicken |
| Gaff (n) – a handled hook for catching fish Gaffe (n) – a blunder often unintentional. # As a new blogger he made some real gaffe. |
| Gamble – to play games on chance of money Gambol – a quick, playful, jumping movements |
| Gate – entrance Gait – manner of walking |
| Gesture – movement of limbs Jester – joke matter |
| Ghastly – terrible Ghostly – ghost like supernatural |
| Gloss (n) – shine or lustre on a smooth surface # Hair with a healthy gloss. Gloze (v) – make excuses for # The demeanour of Mathews is rather glozed over. |
| Gregarious (adj) – convivial, sociable Egregious (adj) – outstandingly bad; shocking # egregious abuses of copyright |
| Grid – be prepared for action Guard – protected |
| Hail – welcomed Hale – healthy Hell – place of punishment after death |
| Hall – big room Haul – to drag something which much effort, to pull a trailer or other conveyance behind a vehicle # Haul stones from the quarry in a truck. # Haul vegetables to the market. |
| Hard – firm # hard and fast rule Herd – a group of cattle or sheep Heard – V2 and V3 of verb hear |
| Hart – male deer Heart – the organ that pumps blood Hurt – wound |
| Heal – cured Heel – back of the foot Hill – small mountain |
| Heap – a collection of objects laid on the top of each other Syn: pile, mound, agglomerate, accumulation, cumulus Hip – back side of the body just below the waist |
| Heat – hot radiation Hit – struck against |
| Heed – attention Hid – concealed , V2 of hide [hide–hid–hidden] He’d – he had || he would |
| Hew (v) – (1) to cut down by blows of an axe || (2) To adhere or conform strictly (to something) [hew-hewed-hewed/hewn] # They had hewed logs to build a cabin. # The walls are built of stones hewn by skilled craftsmen. Hue (n) – Colour; The property of colours by which they can be perceived as within a range between primary colours; Appearance, aspect. # Hue and cry |
| Hoard (v, n) – to collect a large amount of something and pile it up to use latter since you expect there may be shortfall of it later # Many people hoarded grocery during lockdown in Covid-19. Horde (n) – a large group of humans or animals. # Nintendo’s new video game system has attracted hordes of casual gamers. # When the morning bell rang, a horde of teachers came piling out of the staff room. |
| Hole – opening in the ground Whole – total |
| Human – human’ is now used today as a noun (person, place, or thing) or adjective (describing word) to refer to things literally having to do with being a human being. Humane – it is only used as an adjective to refer to positive human traits like kindness and compassion. |
| Idle – useless Idol – most beloved |
| Illiterate – not able to read or write Aliterate – disinclined to read though no illiterate # This generation is not illiterate but aliterate. Alliterate – to arrange or place so as to make alliteration (the use, especially in poetry, of the same sound or sounds, especially consonants, at the beginning of several words that are close together) # alliterate syllables in a sentence Obliterate – to destroy completely |
| Important – having much value Impotent – without mental, moral, physical power |
| Ingenious – clever and skilful # The ingenious manoeuvres leading to his success # An ingenious solution to the problem Ingenuous – of a person or action) innocent and unsuspecting # He eyed her with wide, ingenuous eyes. # A child’s ingenuous stare |
| Insolent (adj) – rude in behaviour Insolvent (adj) – bankrupt |
| Jealous – envious; covetous Zealous – full of enthusiasm |
| Keen – eager Kin – relative # Kith and kin |
| Key (n) – lock opener Quay (n) – A wharf, quay , staith or staithe is a structure on the shore of a harbour or on the bank of a river or canal where ships may dock to load and unload cargo or passengers |
| Kill (v) – destroyed the life of Quill (n) – a long, sharp point on a porcupine, or a large feather with the end cut to a sharp point that was used, esp. in the past, as a pen |
| Knave – a dishonest or unscrupulous man Nave – the central part of a church building Naïve/Naive– (of a person or action) showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgement Syn: GULLIBLE, TYRO, NOVICE, INCIPIENT # Surely you’re not naive enough to believe adverts! # I’ve always liked the naive way in which he ignores all the background detail. |
| Kneel – sit on knees Knell (n) – sound of funeral bell Nil – nothing Nail (n) – pointed iron with a head |
| Knight – soldier of noble rank Night – the period after day |
| Knot – fastening Not – no Nought – nothing; zero |
| Lac – substance used for painting Lack – deficiency Lakh – one hundred thousand |
| Lark (n & v) – noun means a piece of fun; a melody bird. On the other hand verb means behave playfully or irresponsibly # The boys did not mean any harm. They were only having a lark. # They stole the car for a lark. But now they are in trouble. Lurk (v) – be or stay hidden [lurk–lurked–lurked] # Somebody is lurking in the bushes. # A suspicious looking man is lurking in the shadows. |
| Lash – a blow or stroke given with a whip Lass – a girl or young women; opposite to lad |
| Late – delayed Let – allow |
| Latter – the second of the two Later – after Letter – a piece of written information |
| Launch – start # Launch the satellite Lunch – mid-day meal |
| Lead (v) – to control a mass, a country, or a situation Lid – cover of a box Lead (n) – metal lead Led – V2 and V3 of lead (v) |
| Leap – jump Lip – upper and lower edge of mouth |
| Least – minimum List – a number of items |
| Ledger – account book Leisure – off hour |
| Lessen – decreased, alleviate, mitigate Lesson – quota of study |
| Liar – teller of false Lyre – musical instrument |
| Loan – borrowing Lone – alone, lonely, solitary |
| Loose (adj) – (1) not tightly held together or to anything else || (2) not exact || (3) immoral # I am comfortable in loose clothing rather than tight-fitting dress. (meaning 1) # This book is a loose translation of Qur’an. (meaning 2) # She is a loose woman. /She has loose character. (meaning 3) Loose (adv) – not in packet or sealed # In mall oil is not sold loose. Loose (v) – set free or release (nowadays is not commonplace in practice) [loose–loosed–loosed] # He loosed the dogs against the intruders. nb: using the word “let” in front of “loose” is more commonplace. # He let loose his arrow. # He let loose the dogs. # He let the dogs loose on the invaders. Lose (v only) – to no longer have something because you do not know where it is [lose–lost–lost] # I’ve lost my ticket. Loss (n) – something that is lost # a loss on an investment/a sale # solve the problems on profit and loss. |
| Mad – insane Made – prepared, V2, V3 of make Maid – a female domestic servant |
| Main – chief Mane – hairs on neck of lion |
| Male – related to men Mail – post |
| Marry – wed Merry – happy |
| Marshal (n) – high military officer Marshal ((v) – assemble and arrange (a group of people, especially troops) in order Martial (adj) – (of persons) befitting a warrior Marital (adj) – pertaining to marriage |
| Mask (n) – face cover # It’s assumed that wearing of mask can prevent spreading Corona. Musk (n) – aromatic substance Masque (n) – a short allegorical entertainment performed by masked players in 16th and 17th centuries. Masquerade (n) – a social gathering of people wearing masks and fantastic costumes. |
| Massage – careful rubbing # Thai massage. Message – piece of news |
| Master (n) – head Muster (n & v) – gather or bring together for duty # Muster the carriage to do something. |
| Maybe (adv) – perhaps # Maybe it’s love. May be (v) – possibly may occur # It may be raining afternoon. |
| Meal – food Mill – factory |
| Meat (n) – animal flesh Meet (v) – see [meet–met–met] Mete (n, v) – dispense or allot justice, a punishment, or harsh treatment # to mete out punishment |
| Medal (n) – metal disc of honour Meddle (v) – intrude in someone else’s affair or business # Don’t meddle in my affair. |
| Metal – metallic substance Mettle (n) – courage or spirit to carry on # You haven’t got the mettle to carry on. # He kept fighting in pure mettle. |
| Might – power Mite – small contribution |
| Miner – workers in the mine Minor – under age || of little value |
| Monitory – warning Monetary – relating to money # Monetary Policy Committee. |
| Mood – mental status Mode – version |
| Moral – relating to virtue Morale – courage |
| Moras (n)– plural of mora which is used as a unit used to measure lines and stanzas of poetry Morass (n) – a boggy ground |
| Morning – the early part of the day Mourning – lamenting |
| Mortal – liable to death Mortar – cementing mixture Motor – engine to supply power |
| Muscle – muscles, muscular tissue Mussel – any of several kinds of shell fish |
| Mysterious (adj) – something with a mystery Mystic (adj) – importing or implying mysticism; involving some secret meaning |
| Naughty – wicked Knotty – complicated, difficult to solve; intricate |
| Nay – no Neigh – sound of horse |
| No – not Know – be informed about something |
| Oar – a piece of wooden flat blade for rowing boats # Life without a true friend is like a boat without an oar. Ore – mineral deposit |
| Obsequies (n) – plural of obsequy which means funeral rites. Read more about obsequies Obsequious (adj) – someone too eager to praise or obey # One should not be obsequious in corporate sector as no one is your true friend there. |
| Pain (n) – suffering Pane (n) – a flat piece of glass, used in a window or door # And, indeed, every time they took it down after the show, they broke nearly every pane of glass. Pen (n) – a writing tool |
| Pair – set of two # pair of shoes Pare – trim # The gardener pare the branches of a tree. Pear – one type fruit (Nāśapāti) |
| Palace – royal house Place – center |
| Pale – colorless Pail – pitcher or bucket |
| Pall (n) – (1) cloth used to cover dead body or coffin || (2) a thick, dark cloud of smoke || (3) a negative feeling or mood # Palls of smoke obscured our view. (meaning 2) # The bad news cast a pall over the evening. (meaning 3) # A pall of embarrassment descended on the room. (meaning 3) Pall (v) – to become less interesting or enjoyable # The pleasure Summer Vacation quickly palled when council decided to take offline exam in middle of vacation. Pawl (n) – a pivoted curved bar or lever whose free end engages with the teeth of a cogwheel or ratchet so that the wheel or ratchet can only turn or move one way. Read more about pawl |
| Panel – team # a panel of judges # the investigatory panel # an interview panel # a Control/instrument panel Penal (adj) – relating to penalty # He had been in and out of penal institutions (= prison) from the age of 16. |
| Paper – sheet for writing Pepper – a type of spice; black pepper |
| Par (n) – equal || (relating to golf) standard # Tiger Woods finished the round 9 under par. Per – by # This costs Rs 10 per kg. |
| Parse – give the grammatical description of Purse – money-bag Pursue – to carry out or participate in an activity # She pursued many activities. # The police car pursued the suspected attackers. # I don’t want to pursue the higher study Peruse – to read carefully # perused the important letter. |
| Patience (n) – the ability to accept delay, suffering, or annoyance without complaining or becoming angry # He’s a man of great patience. Patient (adj) – who has patience # Just be patient – Keep on doings, result will come one day. Patients (n) – plural of patient which mean those under medical care |
| Patrol (v) – moving on duty Petrol (n) – petroleum product |
| Peace – no violence, calm Piece – make parts |
| Personal – pertaining to oneself Personnel – the employs of a company or organization |
| Perspective (n & adj) – a point of view # He writes from a Marxist perspective. Prospective (adj) – likely to happen in future # Answering to queries and comments by readers is essential as they could turn into a prospective customers in no time. |
| Plain – simple Plane – aeroplane || surface # Aeroplane, A 3-D plane |
| Please – kindly Pleas – plural of plea which mean appeal or petition |
| Pore (n & v)– small opening in a surface that lets stuff through || study intensely Pour (v) – to flow continuously and rapidly Poor (adj) – needy |
| Portable (adj) – small and light weight so that easily carried away # a portable radio/phone/computer # Better you go for a laptop. It (laptop) would be portable. Potable (adj) – suitable for drinking # Even now potable water is not available in many places. |
| Practice (n) – professional business Practise (v) – do practice |
| Pray (v) – offering homage to god Prey (v) – animal eaten by another animal |
| Precede – comes before Proceed – begin, make a start |
| Prescribe – recommend # The doctor prescribed these medicine. Proscribe – declare illegal, can be used as antonym to prescribe; forbid |
| Principal – head of institute Principle – certain idealism, rules |
| Prophecy (n) – a prediction, forecast # She believed the prophecy of earthquake. Prophesy (v) – to make a prediction [Prophesy–Prophesied–Prophesied] |
| Prosecute (v) – to begin or carry out a legal claim against someone, usually for a crime || to carry or accomplish # Trespassers will be prosecuted. Persecute (v) – to harass, or pursue in order to injure or afflict [Prosecution] vs. [Persecution] |
| Pull – draw to one’s own side Pool – small amount of liquid |
| Quiet (adj) – not noisy; silent # Be quiet, please. Quite (adj) – to a degree (not used with negative) # She was quite alone. Quit (v) – to stop doing something or leave a job or a place; abandon # Her assistant quit without an explanation. # If you are tired, just take a break but don’t quit. |
| Rain (n) – water fall from cloud Reign (v) – rule # Better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven. Rein (n) – a long, thin piece of material, especially leather, that helps you to control and direct a horse |
| Raise (regular, transitive) – If you raise something, it means that you elevate it – you move it up or lift it to a higher level. [raise–raised–raised] # The government has raised the age of retirement from 60 to 65. # Whoever has query, please do raise your hand. # Mary raises her voice when she’s angry. Rise (irregular, intransitive) – If something rises, it means that it elevates itself – it goes up itself. No external force is needed to lift it. But note that not always a physical movement involved; sometimes the meaning is just “to increase”. [rise – rose – risen] # I like to rise at 6am, but my husband stays in bed until 8am. # Prices are rising all the time. Sentences with raise and rise in the same sentences # We raise the flag when the sun rises, and we lower it when the sun goes down. nb–increase in pay is raise in AmE and rise in BrE Rays (n) – beams of light Raze (n) – to destroy completely (a building, town, or other settlement), demolish |
| Reach – catching range Rich – moneyed; wealthy |
| Reap (v) – cut the grain Rip (v) – to pull apart # His jeans ripped when he bent down. # I ripped my shirt on a nail. # She excitedly ripped the package open. # The wind ripped the flag to/into shreds (= into little pieces). Ripe (adj) – (of fruit or crops) completely developed and ready to be collected or eaten |
| Red (n) – a color Raid (v) – attack # The police raided the politician’s house last week. |
| Refuge (n) – (a place that gives) protection or shelter from danger, trouble, unhappiness, etc. # These people are seeking/taking refuge from persecution. # The climbers slept in a mountain refuge. Refugee (n) – (a person) who come to a refuge after losing their home Refuse (v) – say no to something |
| Right – fair, opposite to wrong Rite – a religious or other solemn ceremony or act; ritual # funeral/marriage/fertility rites Writ – judiciary code Write – to inscribe Wright – A US Novelist; Wright brothers who invented airplane |
| Roe – deer Row – move with oars |
| Root – the underground part of the tree Route – way Rout (n, v) – driven back defeated, expel # Rout out the fighters from their cave |
| Rote (n) – the process of learning something by repetition, rather than by really understanding it Syn: mechanically, automatically, without thinking, unthinkingly, parrot-fashion, mindlessly; from memory, by heart # She learned the equations by rote # a poem learnt by rote in childhood Wrote – V2 of write |
| Saccharin (n) – it is a non-nutritive or artificial sweetener Saccharine (adj) – excessively sweet or sentimental |
| Score – gain marks or point # I scored poor in Math. # India scored 183 in 1983 Prudential World Cup Final against West Indies. # Highest individual score in ODI is 264 made by Rohit Sharma. Scour – rinse, clean # Scour the wound with antibiotics. # Scour the old gas tank |
| Sea (n) – small ocean See (v) – perceive with the eyes; discern visually # In beach you could easily see the blue sea. |
| Seat (n)– place of sitting Sit (v)– have seat |
| Seed (n) – a small hard fruit Cede (v) – gave up the might of often unwillingly or because forced to do so |
| Seer – prophet Sere/Sear – (especially of vegetation) dry or withered Cere – a soft waxy fleshy covering, containing the nostrils, at the base of the upper beak in some birds of prey like parrot, eagle |
| Sense (n & v) – perception || perceive Since (prep & conj) – from that time until now || because |
| Sever (v) – cut off/ break up # Sever a relationship # His head was severed from his body in train accident. Severe – acute/terrible/dangerous |
| Shade – cover from light Shed – a covered shelter for cows |
| Sheep – ram Ship – a vessel that carries passengers or freit |
| Siege – encirclement, blockade, beleaguerment Seize – caught hold of |
| Slay (v) – kill [slay–slew–slain] # St George slew the dragon. Sleigh (n) – a sledge drawn by horse # He enjoyed the sleigh ride. |
| Sleep – sleeping Slip – missing |
| Soar (v) – to rise very quickly to a high level # Oil prices soared 20 percent last three months. Sore (adj) – (of a body part) painful or aching # Travelling in dessert has made my eyes and feet sore. Shore – coast Sure – definite |
| Sole – only Soul – spiritual self |
| Sour – sour in taste Shower – downpour Sower – one who sows seed |
| Sow – scatter seed on the field So – to such an extent Sew – stich |
| Spacious (adj) – with large space or wide area; roomy; commodious Specious (adj) – seeming to be right or true, but really wrong or false # a specious argument/claim # specious allegations/promises |
| Spade – a digging tool Sped – V2 & V3 of speed |
| Staff – group of persons Stuff – material |
| Stair – we climbed up the stair Stare – look steadily on |
| Stalk – stem Stock – storage |
| Stationary – fixed # Stationary water of pond Stationery – writing materials # Stationery shop |
| Statue (n) – an object made of stone or metal to look like a person or animal # Statue of Liberty. Statute (n) – a law that has been formally approved and recorded |
| Steal (v)– take without owner’s consent Steel (n)– iron processed with carbon Still (adv) – yet, even # It’s still warm outside. # Will you still love me when we’re old and grey? # still another problem must be solved # he couldn’t hold still any longer Still (adj) – stationary [degree: still-stiller-stillest] # Suddenly they were in a slack and the water was still. # The night was still. (silent) Stile (n) – a stile is a section of steps going over a fence or wall, allowing people to cross but not livestock or other animals. |
| Strait – a narrow channel connecting two seas or oceans Straight – direct |
| Suit – is suitable # This dress really suits you. Suite – apartment Soot – a fine black substance produced when incomplete combustion of coal , oil etc. happens. |
| Swat (v) – hit or crush (something, especially an insect) with a sharp blow from a flat object [swat–swatted–swatted] # I swatted a mosquito on my leg. Swot (v) – study assiduously [swot–swotted–swotted] # Kids are swotting for exams. |
| Tail – the rear end or a process or prolongation of the rear end of the body of an animal || head and tail Tale – story Tell – say # Today I will tell you a tale of a tail. |
| Taint – foul Tent – canvas shed |
| Tamper – change unlawfully Temper – mental status |
| Task – assignment/job Tusk – long teeth of elephant |
| Taste (v) – relish # Every soul will taste death. Test – examination # Appear in mock test for better performance in real exam. |
| Than (conj) –used to compare things Then (adv) – indicating time |
| Thorough (adj) – complete understanding of anything in every aspect. # Planners need a thorough understanding of the subject. # Just in 2 months he is able to read Mandarin thoroughly. Through (prep) – moving from one end of something (say an opening, channel) to the other |
| Timbre (n) – it’s a musical term. It refers to sound of a instrument when played, or volume and tone quality of a person’s voice. # He has a deep timbre in his voice. Timber (n) – wood that was part of a building that has fallen off Timber (v) – performing the duties of a lumberjack |
| Tire – wearied Tyre – rubber band on the rim of the wheel |
| Trade – small business Tread – walk |
| Trail (n) – a rough path Trail (n & adj) – related to experiment |
| Urban – related to city Urbane – sophisticated; suave |
| Usage – accepted value Uses – applications |
| Vain – unsuccessful; of no value Vein – a tube that carries oxygen-depleted blood to the heart Vane – a flat, narrow part of a fan, propeller, etc. that change direction at the pressure of air or liquid against it Read More |
| Vale (n) – valley # The vale of Kashmir is amazing. Veil (n) – transparent head cloth |
| Vassal (n) – a holder of land by feudal tenure on conditions of homage and allegiance. Syn: villain, liege, liegeman, man, bondsman, vavasour, serf, helot, slave, thrall, subject Vessel (n) – container |
| Venal (adj) – someone open to corrupt influence and especially bribery; mercenary # Most of the local politicians are venal and unscrupulous. Venial (adj) – little offence that can be forgiven. # a venial sin/error |
| Veracious (adj) – a person speaking or representing the truth Voracious (adj) – a person wanting or devouring great quantities of food |
| Vice – immorality Vise – a device for holding which is also called bench-vise |
| Wail – lamenting Well – in a good health |
| Waist – a human body part Waste – spoil West – direction, opposite to east. |
| Wait – stay Weight – a mass |
| Waive – taken away # TFW is tuition fee waiver Wave – the ship went through the rolling wave |
| Wander – travel aimlessly Wonder – astonished # Wonder where Joe Healey is these days? |
| Want – to wish to be or do something # I want to be a scientist. # I want to marry you. Won’t – contraction of ‘will not’ # A: Are you coming tomorrow’s class? B: No, I won’t. I am going to Chennai tomorrow. Remember there is no word like wan’t |
| Ward – division in hospital or municipality # a children’s ward # ward no 9 Word – promise |
| Ware – pottery (= objects made out of clay) of a particular type or make # Meissen ware [-ware is used as suffix like tableware, kitchenware, housewares, glassware etc.] Wear – putting on Wire – metal string Were – V2 of be verb are Where – used to ask place # Where is your home? |
| Warm – hearty Worm – little crawling animals |
| Warship (n) – a warship is a naval ship that is built and primarily intended for naval warfare Worship (v) – the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity |
| Wary (adj) – not completely trusting or certain about something or someone; cautious # She has grown wary of strangers. Weary (adj) – fatigued since one has worked for a long time # I think he’s a little weary after his long journey. Wherry (n) – a light rowing boat |
| Way (n) – track/route Weigh (v) – take the weight of |
| Weak – not strong Week – collection of seven days Wick – tape for soaking oil |
| Weather – climate # Today’s weather is very hot and humid. Whether – if, or not #I am wondering whether our Kashmir tour plan will be successful or not. Wether – castrated sheep/ram Wither – blight which is a plant disease, typically one caused by fungi such as mildews, rusts, and smuts. |
| Wet – washed Whet – sharpen Wheat – a type of grain |
| Wrap – cover Rap – a quick, sharp knock or blow |
| Wreak (v) – to wreak is to cause something to happen, usually with a terrible consequence. The word wreak is often paired with havoc, devastation, mayhem # The recent hail storms have wreaked havoc on crops. Wreck (v) – to wreck is to ruin something # The explosion shattered nearby windows and wrecked two cars. # They were wrecking the place, and I had to stop it. Reek (v) – to reek is to smell bad # Rotting food in the fridge reeks. Read more |
| Yarn – spun thread of fibres for knitting, weaving, sewing, embroidery, or rope making Yearn – longs for |
| Yeast – a fungus substance East – a direction |
| Yield (v) – produce or provide (a natural, agricultural, or industrial product) || give way to arguments, demands, or pressure # The land yields grapes and tobacco. Wield – commands || to hold a weapon or tool and look as if you are going to use it # He still wields enormous influence in politics. |
| Yolk (n) – yellow part of egg Yoke (n) – a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plough or cart |
| Zest – great enthusiasm and energy. Jest – joke |
| Zoo – place for keeping animals Jew – follower of Judaism Jaw – the lower part of skull |
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