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.cite, sight, site
cite (SIGHT)
1. To quote as an authority or example: "It is necessary that we cite our references for this information."
2. To mention or to bring forward as support, illustration, or proof: "They cited several instances of insubordinate behavior by new employees." "The judge will cite him for contempt of court." sight (SIGHT)
1. The act or fact of seeing: "The new house was a beautiful sight to see."
"He was hoping for a sight of land after being out to sea for such a long time." "We caught sight of a rare bird during our trip to the island." 2. The foreseeable future or a prospect: "We could see no solution in sight."3. Mental perception or consideration: "He lost sight of the purpose of his visit." site (SIGHT)
The place where a structure or group of structures was, is, or is to be located: "The site of the stadium is up there on the hill and it is also a good site for the new high school."
"Now we have a website which can be of great value to anyone who wants to learn." clack, claque
clack (KLAK)
To make or to cause something to make a short sharp sound or series of short sharp sounds: "It was easy to hear the clack, clack, clack of her heels in the hall."
claque (KLAK)
1. A group of people hired to applaud at a performance: "When the politician spoke there was always a claque responding with an applause of approval."
2. A group of sycophants or fawning admirers: "A claque of apparent worshipers were always around the actress praising her for everything she said or did." clamber, clamor, clamour
clamber (CLAM buhr, KLAM uhr)
To scramble, climb, or crawl in an awkward way: "The children always clamber over the rocks."
"We could only clamber up the steep hill." clamor (KLAM uhr)
1. To cry loudly and insistently for something: "There was a public clamor for an arrest in the case."
2. To be loud and noisy: "The children obviously wanted to clamor around them, and to sing songs and laugh." clamour (KLAM uhr [chiefly British])
To ask for or to demand something in a loud way: "Fans were seen to clamour for autographs of the sports stars outside the stadium."
classic, classical
classic (KLAS ik)
1. Belonging to the highest rank or class: "She bought classic clothing during her trip to Paris, France."
2. A literary work of ancient Greece or Rome: "Virgil was an ancient Roman author who wrote the classic, Aeneid, which we read in class." classical (KLAS i kuhl)
1. A reference to the ancient Greeks and Romans; especially, their art, architecture, and literature: "The builder sought to imitate the classical architecture when building the garden for the count."
2. Relating to European music during the latter half of the 18th and the early 19th centuries: "Her preferences run to classical music; especially, that written by Chopin." clause, claws
clause (KLAWZ)
Part of a compound sentence which includes a subject and verb: "She set off the clause in her sentence with quotation marks to highlight its importance."
claws (KLAWZ)
Sharp nails at the end of the foot of an animal or at the end of a limb; such as, a crab: "The banquet included Alaskan crab claws as a special treat."
"The eagle was carrying a rabbit in its sharp claws." cleave, cleave
cleave (KLEEV)
1. To split something by hitting it with an object that is heavy and sharp: "Using this ax, we can cleave the log."
2. To pass easily and quickly through something: "The bow of the ship can easily cleave through the water." cleave (KLEEV)
1. To stay very close to someone: "You could see the boy cleave to his mother in the shopping center."
2. To stick closely to something; usually used in a figurative sense: "His wife continued to cleave to the beliefs of her family's religious teachings." cleaver, clever
cleaver (KLEEV ur)
A heavy cutting tool with a broad blade, used by butchers for cutting up large pieces of meat: "He used a cleaver to reduce the amount of meat on the leg of a cow that was delivered to the butcher shop."
clever (KLEV ur)
1. Skillful, adroit, dexterous with the hands and fingers: "Even as a little boy playing with blocks, he was clever with his hands."
2. Quick in thinking or learning; intelligent, quick-witted, etc.: "Some clever students started a business recycling old computers." clench, clinch
clench (KLINCH)
To hold or to close tightly: "He started to clench his fists when he saw that the man was angry."
"We could see him clench his teeth as he continued to look straight ahead." clinch (KLINCH)
To finalize or to bring to an end: "The judge’s comments appeared to clinch the argument between the lawyers."
"Her superior work on this project should clinch her a promotion." clew, clue
clew (KLOO)
A ball of yarn or thread: "In Greek Mythology, Theseus used a clew to find his way out of the labyrinth."
Primarily British, information that leads towards the solution of a situation or problem: "The detective was able to use one final clew to solve the murder." clue (KLOO)
Something that serves to guide or to direct someone in the solution of a problem or mystery: "The spy provided a clue to the identity of the suspect."
click; cliché, cliche; clique
click (KLIK)
A slight, sharp sound: "When the door shut, he could hear the lock click."
cliché, cliche (klee SHAY)
An expression or idea that has become trite (worn out or overly used) and so is no longer original: "The speech was littered one cliché after another all of which dated the speaker."
"The macho cop representations of Hollywood movies have become a cliché." clique (KLEEK)
A small, exclusive circle or group of people: "At the local high school, the girls formed a special clique which only included girls with red hair."
A cliche is a remark that's right, but quite trite. climacteric, climactic, climatic
climacteric (kli MAK tuhr ik, kligh" mak TER ik)
A critical period or year in a person's life when major changes in health or fortune are thought to take place: "I have always heard that when you turn 40, you are entering the climacteric period of your life."
climactic (kligh MAK tik)
Relating to or constituting a climax: "The music soared towards the climactic ending to the opera."
climatic (kligh MAT ik)
Influenced by or resulting from the prevailing weather conditions: "The climatic changes in global warming are affecting the polar bears in the Arctic areas."
climb, clime
climb (KLIGHM)
To rise or to move upward; especially, by using the hands and feet: "She wore heavy boots when she decided to climb the mountain."
clime (KLIGHM)
A shorter term for climate: "The students said they were off to their clime class to study global warming."
cloister, closure, cloture,
cloister (KLOI stuhr)
A place, especially a monastery or convent, devoted to religious seclusion: "After her husband was killed, Roxanna chose to live in a cloister with the nuns."
closure (KLOH zhuhr)
1. A feeling of finality or resolution, especially after a traumatic experience: "She decided to visit the scene of the accident to try to bring closure to her grief."
2. A bringing to an end; a conclusion: "The speaker announced that after one more question, he would bring closure to the meeting." cloture (KLOH chuhr)
A parliamentary procedure by which debate is ended and an immediate vote is taken on the matter under discussion: "The rookie senator rose to present a motion of cloture, thus bringing the discussion to a vote."
close, close
close (CLOHZ)
Bringing to an end, stopping: "After a detailed summary, she brought the discussion to a close."
close (CLOHS)
1. Fitting tightly, little space between: "The box was packed in such a manner that everything was close and tightly fitted."
2. Secretive, stingy: "Scrooge in Dicken’s story was very close with his money." 3. Referring to people who know each other very well and care about each other very much: "The two friends were very close, having gone to school together." 4. Being near or at a short distance or time away: "She was instructed not to drive her car so close to the one in front of her." "The time for a decision is drawing close." He thought he was getting close to a close, but he was too close to the door to close it. clothes, cloths
clothes (KLOHZ)
Articles for personal apparel or household use: "Her clothes were often made of cotton which meant that they could be used as cleaning clothes when they were worn out."
cloths (KLAWTHS, KLAHTHS)
Soft pliable material made of woven or synthetic fabric often adapted for a particular purpose: "The brightly colored cloths were used to decorate the pavilion for the fair."
He hung up the wash cloths on the line just before changing his clothes.
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