Confusing Words Clarified: Group G; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, etc. +(lists of "G" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)A great example of confusing wordsOnce upon a time in the unknown past, at a dinner party in Texas, a man from South America was telling about his country and himself, concluding with "And I have a sympathetic wife but unfortunately, no children. My wife, she is unbearable." Those who were listening greeted his statement with puzzled glances, so he tried to explain: "My wife, she is inconceivable." Noticing from the bewildered looks of the guests that this didn't clarify the matter, he finally explained with a triumphant smile: "I mean, my wife, she is impregnable." Never use big words where a diminutive one will suffice. If you have any problems understanding the pronunciation symbols, go to this Pronunciation Chart for clarifications.gaff, gaffe
gaff (GAF)
1. A metal hook or spear used by fishermen or butchers to lift and maneuver heavy objects: "The fisherman used his gaff to lift the fish from the net into the hole of the vessel."
2. To fix or to set up for cheating: "The gambler was known to try to gaff when he played cards." gaffe (GAF)
Social awkwardness or diplomatic blunder: "She was deeply embarrassed by her gaffe at the garden party."
gage; gauge
gage (GAYJ)
1. Something that is given or left as security until a debt is paid or an obligation is fulfilled: "He signed a gage stating that he would repay the loan."
2. A glove or other object that is thrown down or offered as a challenge to fight: "The knight threw his glove at the feet of the other warrior as a gage to challenge him to a duel." 3. To offer something as security against a debt or other obligation: "She left a necklace as a gage that she would reimburse the expenses of the trip." gauge and/or gage (GAYJ)
1. A measuring instrument for determining and indicating a quantity; such as, the thickness of wire or the amount of rain etc.; estimate, judge, appraise, ascertain: "Can you gauge the distance to the top of that hill?"
2. Measuring instrument, measuring device, standard, criterion: "This gauge registers the pressure in pounds." 3. Size, measurement, internal diameter, inner measurement, inner dimension: "What gauge is that cannon?" In the sense of "measurement," gauge is the preferable spelling. With the meaning of "a pledge," gage is the correct and preferred form. gain, gainly
gain (GAYN)
1. To come into possession or use of something; to acquire: "He gained a small fortune in real estate just before the bubble burst."
2. To attain in competition or struggle; to win: "They gained a decisive victory over the opposing athletic team." 3. To obtain through effort or merit; to achieve: "She gained recognition with her volunteer work as an educational tutor." gainly (GAYN'li)
graceful, pleasing, shapely: "He was described as a gainly youth with dark hair and blue eyes."
gait, gate
gait (GAYT)
To amble, trot, or canter: "She watched the gait of the horse carefully."
gate (GAYT)
An entrance, exit, or passageway: "The gate opened automatically when the car came close."
The old dog’s limping gait nearly prevented him from making it into the yard before the automatic gate closed. gall, Gaul
gall (GAWL)
1. A characteristic of boldness or impudence: "The boy had the gall to talk back to his grandmother."
2. Tasting bitter: "The medicine was bitter, tasting like gall." 3. Sore or irritated by rubbing: "The gall on the horse was due to the saddle not fitting properly and rubbing constantly." 4. An enlargement of plant tissue due to fungus or parasites: "The botanist observed a large gall on the tree and looked carefully for the insects which would cause it." Gaul (GAWL)
A geographical reference to parts of Europe including present day Northern Italy, France, Belgium, parts of Switzerland, Netherlands, and Germany; often in connection with the Roman Empire: "Tacitus wrote of the conquest of Gaul at the time of the Romans."
galleon, gallon
galleon (GAL ee uhn, GAL yuhn)
A large three-masted sailing ship with a square rig and usually two or more decks, used from the 15th to the 17th century especially by Spain as a merchant ship or warship: "Several Spanish sailors were hired to sail on the new galleon."
"The galleon sailed into the harbor after a long voyage." gallon (GAL uhn)
A unit of volume in the U.S. Customary System, used in liquid measure, equal to 4 quarts (3.785 liters): "They bought a gallon of fresh milk to take home from dairy."
galley, gallery
galley (GAWL ee)
1. The kitchen and equipment on a ship, airplane, or train: "The galley on the ship was well equipped for the chef who loved to cook."
2. In printing and publishing, a single column of type set or the initial print or proof made from the column of type set: "The editor checked the galley print for spelling and factual errors." gallery (GAWL uh ree)
1. A room or building for the purpose of exhibiting works of art: "The gallery just off the main street was renown for its fine exhibitions of painting."
2. A platform or construction in an auditorium to provide seating for an audience, often inexpensive seats: "The students always bought their tickets in the gallery section of the auditorium when they went to concerts." gambit, gamut
gambit (GAM bit)
1. A maneuver or action intended to gain an advantage: "The winning chess player executed a clever gambit against his opponent."
2. A maneuver, stratagem, or ploy, especially one used at an initial stage: "The football coach outlined a new gambit to the players before the game started." 3. A remark intended to open a conversation: "As his opening gambit, he asked his new friend about the weather." gamut (GAM uht)
The entire range or extent, as of emotions: "His face expressed a gamut of emotions, from tense anger to relaxed satisfaction."
The chess player’s expressions ran the gamut from fear to exhilaration as he pondered his gambit. gamble, gambol
gamble (GAM buhl)
1. To bet on an uncertain outcome, as of a contest or to play a game of chance: "They were always trying one form of gamble after another; for example, playing poker or roulette which involved risking money, or they even bet on horse races, in the hope of winning money."
2. To take a risk in the hope of gaining an advantage or a benefit: "They took a gamble that stock prices would rise." 3. To engage in reckless or hazardous behavior: "He was warned that to gamble with his health by continuing to smoke was a risky way to live." gambol (GAM buhl, GAM bohl)
1. To leap about playfully; to frolic: "The lambs would gambol in the field every morning."
2. To skip about, as in dancing or playing: "The little children loved to gambol in the play room." 3. Happy or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement: "The young dog was often seen to gambol with the opposite end of the leather leash that was attached to his neck." gambling, gamboling (U.S.); gambolling (British)
gambling (GAM bling)
Playing a game that involves betting money or other valuable items: "Fortunately, her gambling was infrequent and did not involve much money."
gamboling (GAM buhl ing)
Playing in a lively manner. "In the pastoral setting, it was enchanting to watch the lambs gamboling on the hillside."
gantlet, gauntlet
gantlet (GAWNT lit, GAHNT lit)
Railroad terminology, an extent of railroad track that is characterized by the track of one section lying within the track of a second section, to highlight a switching area: "The train operator was alert to the gantlet on the tracks so the switch from one track to the other could take place safely."
gauntlet (GAWNT lit, GAHNT lit)
1. A heavy or protective glove used on industrial sites: "The steelworkers used heat resistant gauntlets during their work."
2. An ordeal, either literally or figuratively in which an individual is required to dash between foes who attempt to harm that person: "The criticism of the proposal was so severe, the new senator felt as if she had run the gauntlet and had been battered about." gaol, jail
gaol (JAYL)
Chiefly British for jail, a building or location for confining individuals accused of unlawful behavior: "In the exciting British spy novels, the villain always goes to gaol in the end."
jail (JAYL)
A place where people are kept when they have been arrested and are being punished for a crime: "The new jail was located at the edge of town."
gap, gape
gap (GAP)
1. A break, separation, or space in the continuity of a structure: "The horses escaped through the gap in the fence."
2. A wide disparity or difference in attitudes or opinions: "The generation gap is the subject of many books and articles." gape (GAYP, GAP)
A wide open gaze often in incredulity or wonder: "We could only gape in amazement at the performers at the circus."
gargle, gargoyle
gargle (GAHR guhl)
To rinse or to wash the throat with a liquid; a gargling sound: "She always remembered to gargle with salt water when her throat was sore."
gargoyle (GAHR goil")
A water spout, usually in the form of a grotesquely curved animal projecting from the gutter of a building: "The gargoyles on the Paris cathedral were world famous."
I can hear the rain gargle noisily through the gargoyle. gay, gay
gay (GAY)
1. Happy and excited: "The gay and carefree children were playing in the park."
2. Very bright in color, colorful: "We were enjoying the gay colors of the spring flowers during our walk in the nearby woods." gay (GAY)
Being attracted to someone who is of the same gender: "There are those who are striving for gay rights with the same privileges as married heterosexuals."
The use of the term gay with the meaning "happy and excited" has been superseded with another gay expression that refers to those who are "attracted to others of the same gender" instead of people of the opposite sex.
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