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.cabal, cable
cabal (kuh BAL)
A secret group often devoted to intrigue and to the overthrow of a political system: "The cabal consisted of men and women who were committed to achieving a new government by force if necessary."
cable (KAY buhl)
A rope, wire, or chain of considerable circumference and strength which may be used to hold or to fasten objects together or, as in telecommunications, to carry electric or message impulses: "The workmen installed the new cable for the telephone system."
cacao, cocain, cocoa
cacao (kuh KOU, KAY oh)
A South American tree, Theobroma cacao, which produces the seed pods from which cocoa is made: "Attempts to grow the cacao tree in North America were mostly unsuccessful."
cocaine (koh KAYN, KOH kayn")
A narcotic (alkaloid) extracted from coca leaves; used as a surface anesthetic or taken as a narcotic which can become powerfully addictive as a stimulant of the central nervous system: "He attended a Detox program as he attempted to overcome his cocaine addiction."
cocoa (KOH koh)
The ground powder made from the cacao seeds which is mixed with milk or water and sugar to make chocolate (drink or syrup): "After a long walk on a snowy day, a cup of hot cocoa tastes delicious."
cache, cash
cache (KASH)
1. Stockpile, secret repository: "The rebels had a cache of firearms in the mountains."
2. A place for concealment and safekeeping, as of valuables: "Not trusting banks any more, my father hid his cash in a cache in our book case." 3. A small fast-memory storage area in a computer that holds recently accessed data, designed to speed up subsequent access to the same data: "Your computer keeps information called cache memory. As the microprocessor processes data, it looks first in the cache memory and if it finds the data there (from a previous reading of data), it does not have to do the more time-consuming reading of data from a larger memory." "Using disk cache memory speeds up computer operations, because accessing data stored in RAM (Random Access Memory) is much faster than accessing data stored on a hard drive." cash (KASH)
1. Payment for goods or services in currency or by check: "The purchases were paid for with cash."
2. To exchange for or to convert into ready money: "The store will cash your check." Hide that cash in the cache. Cash is a purchasing plan where you pay 100 percent down, and nothing every month from that time onward. If you have any left over, you can always put it into your cache under the mattress. cacophemism, dysphemism, euphemism
cacophemism (kuh KAH fuh mizm")
Relating to harsh discordant sounds, words or phrases: "During the speech by the senator, the reporter noted one cacophemism after the other, as the senator used many rough and harsh expressions."
dysphemism (dis FEM izm)
1. The deliberate substitution of an offensive expression for a neutral one: "His speech simply contained one dysphemism after another as he uttered "killed" and "died" or "dead" when referring to her mother."
2. Disordered phonation (producing vocal sounds), articulation, or hearing resulting from emotional or mental deficits: "His stuttering was an example of dysphemism." euphemism (YOO fuh miz" uhm)
Use of a mild, neutral, evasive, or vague term in place of one considered taboo, offensive, blunt, or unpleasant: "When he referred to his occupation, he said he was a sanitation worker instead of using the term garbage collector."
caddie, caddy
caddie (KAD ee)
A golfer's assistant who carries a bag of clubs and performs other duties for a golfer: "He caddied for Mr. Smith yesterday."
Either caddie or caddy refers to a person who carries a golfer's clubs on the golf course. caddy (KAD ee)
A can for storing tea: "She found an antique tea caddy which was used to keep tea in."
Cain, cane
Cain (KAYN)
1. The brother of Abel (in the Bible); a murderer: "The Bible stated that Cain was jealous of his brother Abel and therefore killed him."
2. Colloquialism, "raising cain" or causing a violent disturbance: "During recess, the students raised cain on the play ground and the principal had to intervene". cane (KAYN)
1. A walking stick that often has a curved handle and it used to help someone to walk: "Many years ago it was not unusual to see a gentleman carrying a cane when he was walking in the park."
2. A bamboo-like stem: "He went out to harvest sugar cane." 3. As a verb, to hit someone with a cane or stick as a form of punishment: "In the past, some teachers would cane students who misbehaved." calendar, calender, colander
calendar (KAL uhn dur)
A table showing the months, weeks, and days of the year: "Each year on January 1, I give my friends and family a new calendar."
calender (KAL uhn dur)
A machine in which cloth or paper is glazed by rollers: "When making paper, part of the process is to use the calender which rolled the paper very thin."
colander (KUHL uhn dur, KAHL uhn dur)
A bowl that has many small holes or perforations in the bottom used for washing, straining, or draining food: "She used the colander to drain water from the spaghetti right after it was boiled."
A calendar is the proof that our days are numbered! It is also a system that plans its work a whole year ahead and never fails to finish on time. calk, caulk
calk (KAWK)
1. A tapered piece of metal projecting downward from the bottom of a shoe to prevent slipping: "During the winter, the horse shoes were made with a calk so the horse would not slip on the ice."
2. To put projecting metal on the bottom of each shoe: "The farmer wanted a blacksmith to calk the horse’s shoes before winter set in." caulk (KAWK)
To fill a crack so it will not leak: "At the start of each fishing season, the fishermen will caulk their boats against leaks."
call, caul
call (KAL)
1. To speak loudly; to shout: "The mother went to the door to call her children to come in dinner."
2. To give a name to someone or something: "After the birth of their daughter, her parents agreed to call her Katherine after her grandmother." caul (KAL)
A membrane covering the head of a child at birth: "There are many superstitions about the caul of a child when it is born."
callous, callus
callous (KAL uhs)
1. Not feeling or showing any concern about the problems or suffering of other people: "He made a callous remark about those who were injured in the accident."
2. Emotionally hardened; unfeeling: "She had a callous indifference for the suffering of her neighbor." callus (KAL uhs)
A hard, thickened place on the skin; especially, on the hands and feet: "He had callus areas on his feet from walking so much."
caloric, choleric
caloric (kuh LOR ik)
Relating to the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water one degree of Celsius under certain atmospheric conditions: "In chemistry, the students studied the caloric tables in the text books."
choleric (KAL uh rik, kuh LER ik )
Hot tempered, easily moved to excessive anger: "His red face gave away the choleric nature of his personality."
Calvary, cavalier, cavalry
Calvary (KAL vuh ree)
1. When this word is capitalized, it refers to the hill on which Jesus Christ was crucified: "Christ was crucified on Calvary, or Golgotha, which was near the site of ancient Jerusalem."
2. When this word is not capitalized, it refers to a sculptured representation of the Crucifixion, usually erected in the open air: "When we approached the church, we could see the calvary that had been erected there to symbolize Christ's Crucifixion." cavalier (kav" uh LEER)
A gesture or offhand dismissal of important matters or showing no concern for something which is important or serious: "She has a cavalier attitude about spending money."
"They have a cavalier disregard for the rights of others." cavalry (KAV uhl ree)
Members of the army who are assigned duties that require great mobility, either by horseback, motor vehicles, or helicopters: "When she enlisted in the army, her preference was to serve in the cavalry."
can, may, might
can (KAN)
A mental or physical ability to do something: "I am sure that if I study hard enough I can pass the exams at school tomorrow."
may (MAY)
1. To be allowed or permitted to do something: "You may tell me your opinion, but that doesn't mean that I will change my mind."
2. Used to indicate that something is possible or probable: "If you work hard now, you may end up sitting in the supervisor's chair some day." might (MIGHT)
1. Used to express that something is possible: "We might go if they ask us, but then again we might not."
2. Used to talk about a possible condition that does not or did not actually exist: "If you were older, you might understand what she is talking about." canapé, canopy
canapé (KAN uh pay, KAN uh pee)
A cracker or piece of bread spread with a seasoned mixture of fish, cheese, etc., and which is often served at a party: "A canapé for a variety of taste choices was served on platters at the party."
canopy (KAN uh pee)
1. A covering fixed over a bed, throne, entrance, etc., as a decoration or shelter: "A crowd gathered under the theater canopy which extended over the sidewalk."
2. Sometimes used figuratively: "The canopy of the sky was wonderful to see." candid, candied
candid (KAN did)
Expressing opinions and feelings in an honest and sincere way: "He was quite candid about his past life."
candied (KAN deed)
Sugared; cooked with sugar until reaching a translucent appearance: "To make the Christmas cakes, the two women made their own candied fruit."
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