Confusing Words Clarified: Group C; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, etc. +(lists of "C" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)Three words that every student of language should understand are homonyms, synonyms, and antonyms. Homonyms are words that sound alike, but have different meanings. Synonyms are words that are related in meaning but do not sound alike (begin and commence, for example). Antonyms are direct opposites in meaning, as hot and cold; white and black.
With homonyms, the following set of to, too, and two are all pronounced exactly alike, but by no means are they interchangeable in writing. To be sure that you choose the correct spelling for any on these, you must know the meanings of all three so you will not make wrong choices with a feeling of vagueness and uncertainty. Efforts have been made to help you grasp the meanings of these and other words that may be confusing so you can utilize them with greater accuracy in your communication. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome by writing to: E-mail Contact (just click it for an e-mail form) or by typing, words@wordinfo.info, as the address in your e-mail heading. If you have any problems understanding the pronunciation symbols, go to this Pronunciation Chart for clarifications.coolie, cooly; coolly, coulee
coolie, cooly (KOO lee)
A poorly paid servant, frequently associated with Asia: "In order to pay for his university classes, the young man worked as a coolie during the tourist season."
coolly (KOO lee)
Impersonal, lacking in friendliness: "His gaze swept coolly over the crowd as he tried to determine their reaction to his speech."
coulee (KOO lee)
A typically dry ravine or small canyon or gully: "During the thunderstorm, the coulee flooded quickly, creating a danger zone for the tourists who were there."
coop; coupe, coupé
coop (KOOP)
A small, enclosed, often crowded pen or holding space: "The flock of chickens were kept in the clean coop in the shade of the large tree."
coupe (KOOP), coupé (koo PAY)
A small enclosed vehicle primarily designed to carry two people which might be horse drawn or a small automobile: "The newly engaged couple went for a drive in the park in a horse drawn coupe."
cops, copse
cops (KAHPS)
1. A slang expression for policemen: "He yelled at the two guys in his yard saying the if they didn't leave right away, he would call the cops."
2. To capture or to win: "The announcer shouted excitedly, 'The home team cops an unexpected victory'." copse (KAHPS)
A grove or planting of small trees: "A feature of the fine country estate was the lovely copse of evergreen trees down by the lake."
core, corps, corpse
core (KOR, KOHR)
Center, an innermost area: "The core argument was summed up by the final speaker at the conference."
corps (KOR, KOHR)
A group of people; literally, a "body of people": "The corps of the audience was made up of older people who had retired."
corpse (KOHRPS)
A dead body: "The undertaker agreed to prepare the corpse for the funeral."
corespondent, correspondent
corespondent (koh" ri SPAHN duhnt)
A person charged with having committed adultery with the defendant in a divorce suit: "The show girl was named as the corespondent in the famous divorce proceedings."
correspondent (kor" i SPAHN duhnt, kahr" i SPAHN duhnt)
Someone employed by the print or broadcast media (TV, radio, etc.) to supply news stories or articles: "She served as a correspondent for the local newspaper, sending her reports via fax."
cornet, coronet
cornet (kor NET)
1. A wind instrument of the trumpet class, having three valves operated by pistons: "She played a cornet solo during the band performance."
2. A cone or trumpet shaped object; such as, that which is used in cream pastries or some plumbing equipment: "They stopped at the bakery and bought cream cornets." coronet (kahr" uh NET, kor" uh NET)
A small crown worn by princes and princesses and by other nobles below the rank of sovereign: "His wife wore the family coronet during the reception for the queen."
corporal, corporeal, corpulent
corporal (KOR pur uhl, KOR pruhl)
1. Bodily, as physical punishment: "The teaching manual at the school indicated teachers were NOT to use corporal punishment on the students."
2. A military rank (below sergeant): "She was very proud to be appointed the first female corporal in her military unit." 3. A white linen cloth on which the consecrated elements are placed during the celebration of the Eucharist: "The women of the church volunteer committee embroidered the corporal for the priests to use at mass." corporeal (kor POH ree uhl)
Having a material body (not spiritual); tangible: "The Food Bank was established to meet the corporeal needs of the neighborhood residents."
corpulent (KOR pyoo luhnt)
Fat and fleshy; stout; obese: "The doctor advised his corpulent patient to lose weight for the sake of his health."
Corpulence is the survival of the fattest. correspondence, correspondents
correspondence (kor" i SPAHN duhns)
Letter writing; mail, communication: "At the office, e-mail appears to be the primary mode of correspondence among the departments."
correspondents (kor" i SPAHN duhnts)
Writers, reporters, contributors of news, etc.: "She belongs to the elite group of foreign correspondents, working in Europe for her Canadian based newspaper."
costume, custom
costume (KAHS toom", KAHS tyoom")
An article, or articles, of clothing: "The costume which the actor wore had been made of gold cloth."
custom (KUS tuhm)
1. A long established practice: "It was the family custom to go for a walk in the woods before dinner."
2. A duty or tax on imported and some exported goods: "He was informed at the border that he could not bring the package into the country until he paid the custom officer the required duty." council, counsel, consul
council (KOUN suhl)
A group appointed or elected to make decisions: "Most cities and towns have a council that governs certain areas."
counsel (KOUN suhl)
As a noun, an attorney; as a verb, to give advice: "His counsel (attorney) did an excellent job of building a legal case while the social worker tried unsuccessfully to counsel the parents."
consul (KAHN suhl)
A government official representing a country in another country: "A new consul was appointed last week to handle negotiations for a peace treaty."
The counsel told the consul what to say to the city council. counselor, councilor
counselor (KOUN suh lur)
An adviser who provides guidance; usually an attorney: "The counselor prepared the case to present to the judge."
councilor (KOUN suh lur)
A member of an assembly of people called together for consultation, deliberation, or discussion; such as, one which is convened to advise a governor: "My neighbor was elected to be the city councilor for this area."
counter, counter, counter
counter (KOUN tuhr)
A piece of furniture with a flat surface that workers and customers stand on opposite sides of when doing business in a store, restaurant, etc.: "He walked up to the counter and ordered his food and he also put his money down on the counter."
counter (KOUN tuhr)
A person or device that counts something: "The counter records how many people visit the web site."
counter (KOUN tuhr)
Something that is made or done as a defense against or in response to something else: "The government policy is intended as a counter to efforts to decrease spending on education."
courier, currier
courier (KOOR ee ur, KUR ee ur)
1. A messenger; especially, someone on official diplomatic business: "A courier will deliver the government documents this evening."
2. Chiefly British, as a verb, to use a courier to send a message, package, etc. to a person or a place: "He will courier a package overnight to our office." currier (KUR ee ur)
1. Anyone who processes hides into leather by soaking, coloring, and who finishes the leather after it has been tanned: "He made his living as a currier in the leather processing industry."
2. A person who grooms a horse with a currycomb: "A currier uses a square comb with rows of small teeth to curry or to groom (give a neat appearance to) horses." courteous, polite
courteous (KUR tee uhs)
Demonstrating respect by good manners and behavior: "It is courteous to stand when the justice enters the court room."
polite (puh LIGHT)
Demonstrating correct social skills and manners: "Her polite manners have a certain polish, reflecting the education and experience she acquired when attending school."
courtesy, curtsy
courtesy (KUR ti see)
Generosity as demonstrated by providing gifts or special privileges: "She received a ticket to the event which was given as a courtesy of her employer."
curtsy, curtsey (KURT see)
The act of demonstrating respect for an individual by bending one’s knees and bowing one’s head: "She practiced her curtsy in front of the mirror in anticipation of meeting the Queen of England."
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