Confusing Words Clarified: Group I; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, etc. +(lists of "I" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)
If you have any problems understanding the pronunciation symbols, go to this Pronunciation Chart for clarifications.idiopathic, idiopathy
idiopathic (id" ee oh PATH ik, id "ee uh PATH ik)
Characterized as happening spontaneously or developing from an unknown cause: "His brown eyes were idiopathic because everyone else in the family had blue eyes."
"Any disease that is of uncertain or unknown origin may be termed idiopathic." idiopathy (id" ee AHP uh thee)
1. A disease of indeterminate cause; a spontaneous or primary disease: "My friend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which seemed to appear as an idiopathy."
2. Happening spontaneously or developing from an unknown cause: "The idiopathy of the new gene puzzled everyone in the laboratory." idle, idol, idyll
idle (IGHD'l)
Inactive or indolent: "They say that the devil finds work for idle hands."
idol (IGHD'l)
Object of worship: "The idol in the temple had many who were present to worship."
idyll, idyl (IGHD'l)
1. Work of art dealing with rustic or rural life: "He had an idyllic childhood out in the country."
2. A narrative poem treating an epic or romantic theme: "Tennyson's Idylls of the King is considered by some to be the most famous idyll in English." 3. A scene or event of a simple and tranquil nature: "She recalls living in an idyllic home as a child." Luck is the idol of the idle in an idyll situation.
ileum, ilium
ileum (IL ee uhm)
Division of the small intestine: "Ileitis is an inflammation of the ileum."
ilium (IL ee uhm)
One of the bones composing the pelvis: "A fracture of the ilium can be very slow to heal."
imbrue, imbue
imbrue, embrue (im BROO)
To discolor or to stain: "The weaver used walnut skins to create the dark brown dye with which to imbrue the yarns he was using."
imbue (im BYOO)
To influence in a permanent fashion: "The new ideas seemed to imbue the students with a keen enthusiasm for their work."
imitate, intimate, intimate, intimidate
imitate (IM i tayt")
1. To make or to do something the same way as something else: "Their competitors tried to imitated the same procedures."
2. To copy another person's behavior, sound, appearance, etc.: "He's very good at trying to imitate his father's voice." intimate (IN tuh mit, IN tuh muht)
Having a very close relationship; very warm and friendly: "They remained intimate friends throughout their lives."
"We have an intimate friendship with our neighbors." intimate (IN tuh mayt")
1. To say or to suggest something in an indirect way: "He tried to intimate that we should plan to arrive early for our next business meeting."
2. To make known subtly and indirectly; to hint: "She obviously tried to intimate that she was not happy with her job." intimidate (in TIM i dayt")
1. To make someone afraid or insecure: "He tries to intimidate his political opponents with hidden threats."
2. To frighten into submission, compliance, or acquiescence: "Sometimes a lawyer will intimidate a witness in order to make that person say something that will weaken his/her testimony." I didn't want to imitate nor intimidate what he was about to intimate to his intimate friend. immanent, imminent, immediate
immanent (IM uh nuhnt)
1. A thought or activity which occurs within the mind: "Thinking or day dreaming is an immanent activity."
2. Qualities or characteristics which are common throughout something: "Self preservation is an immanent characteristic of most mammals." imminent (IM uh nuhnt)
Immediate, ready to happen without further notice: "Leaping onto the subway tracks places you in imminent danger and is a foolish thing to do."
immediate (i MEE dee it)
1. Happening without disruption or delay: "The telegram asked for an immediate answer."
2. To describe one's position in relation to others; next in line: "I was her most immediate relative." immoral, immortal
immoral (i MAWR uhl, i MAHR uhl)
Behavior or beliefs that conflict with perceived traditional and acceptable ways of behavior: "Because she chose a stage career, her family thought she had fallen into an immoral way of life."
immortal (i MAWR t'l)
1. Having eternal life or existence; never dying, undying: "Many religions teach that when a person lives a holy life or follows the precepts of a certain theology, that person will be immortal after leaving this mortal life."
2. Qualities of unending or lasting fame or existence: "The emperor thought he was immortal and refused to accept the fact that he was getting old." immunity, impunity
immunity (i MYOO ni tee)
1. A state of being able to resist disease by counteracting its effects: "She had already developed immunity to measles and was able to help nurse her younger brother when he was ill."
2. A condition whereby a person is protected or exempt from certain normal civil rules: "His status as an ambassador gave him immunity to being questioned by the police." impunity (im PYOO ni tee)
A state of being safe from or free from punishment or harm: "He acted with impunity, knowing that he would not be prosecuted by the police."
impassable, impassible, impossible
impassable (im PAS uh buhl)
Unable to be traveled or overcome: "The severe snow storm made the roads in the mountains impassable."
impassible (im PAS i buhl)
Characterized as being incapable of feelings; immune to pain or suffering: "Her face was a masque, impassible to the suffering around her."
impossible (im PAHS i buhl)
Unacceptable, awkward, incapable of happening: "Until 40 years ago, it was believed that it was impossible to fly to the moon."
impetuous, vehement
impetuous (im PECH yoo uhs)
Marked by impulsiveness, often without forethought: "Her decision to go on holidays was impetuous and surprised everyone."
vehement (VEE uh muhnt)
Marked by powerful and deeply felt feelings: "He was vehement in his denunciation of the nasty articles in the newspaper."
impinge, infringe
impinge (im PINJ)
To hit or to strike: "Do not use your fist to impinge on my face!"
2. To invade or to enter into another person's thoughts or physical space: "When I am studying for my exams, my friends know better than to impinge into my room." infringe (in FRINJ)
To enter into someplace in a manner that violates the law: "When you walk across my lawn, you infringe on my rights to privacy."
impostor, imposture
impostor (im PAHS tuhr)
A pretender or someone who engages in deception under an assumed name or identity: "The prime minister revealed that his assistant was an imposter, trying to find out secrets from the prime minister’s office."
imposture (im PAHS chuhr)
Deception by fraudulent impersonation or an instance of deception under an assumed name or identity: "The history of crime contains many an incredible imposture."
imprudent, impudent
imprudent (im PROOD n't)
Unwise or indiscreet about handling practical matters; not exercising good judgment or common sense: "It was imprudent of her to borrow the money from her brother."
impudent (IM pyuh duhnt, IM pyoo duhnt)
1. Showing a lack of respect and excessive boldness: "Mother was concerned because I seemed to be impudent towards her older friends."
2. Characterized by offensive boldness; insolent or impertinent: "The little boy’s impudent behavior earned him an early to bed time." in, inn
in (IN)
1. Within the limits, bounds, or area of: "You are in your rights to ask for catsup to eat with your fries."
2. From the outside to a point within; into: "After standing in the door way, she finally was walking in the room." inn (IN)
A public lodging house serving food and drink to travelers; a hotel: "We stayed at a charming inn during our mountain vacation."
inane, insane
inane (in AYN)
Very silly or stupid: "She keeps interrupting me with her inane comments."
"I quickly got tired of their inane questions." insane (in SAYN)
Having or showing severe mental illness; mentally ill: "The murderer was found to be criminally insane."
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