Confusing Words Clarified: Group S; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, etc.(lists of "S" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)English can be very confusing; for example, a house burns up as it burns down, a form is being filled in as it is being filled out, and an alarm goes off by going on. How about when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible? As you examine the groups of words in this unit, you will find many examples of confusions; sometimes, just one or two letters in a word can change its meaning completely. There are also times when two different words get confused because their meanings apply to things that are very similar. Efforts have been made to help you grasp the meanings of various 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.saver, savor
saver (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
savor (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
saw, saw
saw (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
saw (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
scald, scold
scald (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
scold (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
scalp, scalping; scalp, scalping; scalpel
scalp, scalping (SKALP, SKALP ing)
1. The skin covering the top of the human head: "She went to the doctor for treatment of the excessive loss of hair from her scalp."
2. A portion of the skin that covered the top of the head with its attached hair, cut from a body especially as a battle trophy or as proof in claiming a bounty: "He cut a piece from the scalp of the fox as proof of killing it in order to collect a bounty." 3. Hair and skin that is cut or torn from the head of an enemy as a sign of victory; now often used figuratively: "Because of her disrespectful behavior, there is no doubt that her boss will be scalping (firing) her or wants her scalp [wants to fire her]." scalp, scalping (SKALP, SKALP ing)
To engage in the reselling of something; such as, tickets for a sports or musical event, etc.; usually, at a price higher than the established value: "Last week he was scalping tickets to the latest rock concert and now he wants to scalp tickets to the basketball game."
scalpel (SKAL puhl)
A small straight knife with a thin sharp blade used in surgery and dissection: "Each student in the anatomy class was using a scalpel to dissect his, or her, animal corpse."
scam, scram
scam (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
scram (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
scan, scandal
scan (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
scandal (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
scene, seen
scene (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
seen (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
I’ve never seen such a beautiful scene before. scent, sent
scent (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
sent (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
When the man's wife received the special delivery package of perfume, it was good to know that they finally sent the scent she was expecting. Why is the nose in the middle of the face? Because it is the scenter. scepter, specter
scepter (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
specter (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
scream, screech, shriek, squeal
scream (SKREEM)
1. To make a loud, sharp, piercing cry. People scream in fright, in anger, and in excitement; shriek, howl, cry out, screech, squawk, yowl, yelp, squeal: "She screamed when she saw the dead body."
2. Laugh or speak loudly; shout, yell, call out loudly, holler: "We screamed for help when the roller coaster stopped at the top." 3. Produce a vivid impression or starling effect: "The colors of her pink sweater and orange blouse screamed at each other." 4. Loud, shrill cry; shriek, outcry, shout, yell, holler; screech, squeal, whine, wail, yelp; bellow, roar: "We heard screams in the night." "In New York you get used to the scream of sirens." 
screech (SKREECH)
Cry out sharply in a high voice, shriek; a shrill, harsh scream: "To hear a screech owl at night and near by can startle just about everyone."
shriek (SHREEK)
1. A loud, sharp, shrill sound; outcry, screech, squeal, howl, scream, whoop: "The shriek of terror in the movie made the whole audience jump."
"The shriek of an engine’s whistle can cause pain in our ears." "The woman shrieked when she saw and felt the mouse running over her foot." 2. A loud, shrill laugh; a loud, sharp, shrill sound: "People sometimes shriek because of terror, anger, pain, or amusement.""The children greeted each other with shrieks of joy." squeal (SKWEEL)
1. Make a long, sharp, a shrill cry; a yelp, a screech, a shriek, a scream: "A pig squeals when it is hurt or wants to get away when it is grabbed."
"The puppy squealed when the woman stepped on his tail." 2. Slang: turn informer; inform on someone; to betray or expose one's accomplices: "Someone is said to be a squealer when he or she testifies about another person’s behavior or activities."scrip, script
scrip (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
script (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
scrub, scrub, scrub
scrub, scrubs (SKRUHB, SKRUHBS)
A straggly, stunted tree or bush; small bushes and trees: "We could see the chipmunk hiding in the scrub farther away from the scrubs in the woods."
scrub, scrubbed (SKRUHB, SKRUHB'd)
1. As a verb, something that is being rubbed hard with a rough object or substance and often with soap in order to clean it: "We had to scrub and scrub the floor until it was clean."
2. Something that has been cleaned or washed by hard rubbing: "Before she could all of the paint off her hands, she scrubbed them with a special kind of cleanser and soap. scrub, scrubbed (SKRUHB, SKRUHB'd)
1. To cancel or to abandon; to drop what was anticipated: "Because of the high cost, we had to scrub our plans for going away on a vacation."
2. Having decided that something; such as, a game, performance, etc. will not happen or has been canceled: "They scrubbed the game because of the bad weather." scruff, scuff
scruff (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
scuff (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
scull, skull
scull (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
skull (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
They knew they were in danger when their scull hit a skull floating in the river. sculptor, sculpture
sculptor (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
sculpture (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
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