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.spacious, specious
spacious (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
specious (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
spam, spam
spam (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
spam (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
speak, speech
speak (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
speech (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
specie, species
specie (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
species (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
spell, spell, spell, spell
spell (SPEL)
1. To write, say, or print the letters of a word or name: "How do you spell your last name?"
2. To have or to lead to a particular result or effect: "I was told that the amount of planning I do could spell the difference between success and failure." 3. To write out something in complete words instead of using a number, an abbreviation, etc.: "When addressing the invitations, please spell out "street", "road", etc." spell (SPEL)
To charm, incantation; that is, a group of secret words that are believed to have magic powers: "She felt as if she were under the spell of the words which he uttered."
spell (SPEL)
An interval of space or time usually marked by a particular activity or condition: "It looks like we're in for a spell of rainy weather."
spell (SPEL)
To take the place of another person who has been working or doing something for a period of time: "When the couple is taking care of their niece, they spell each other throughout the day."
spelt, spelt
spelt (SPELT)
An ancient and hardy kind of wheat, grown mostly in Europe: "In Germany, spelt is called dinkel and when they eat chicken [hinkel] and spelt [dinkel] together, they sometimes express their thoughts about how good the hinkel and dinkel meal tasted."
Etymology: The Latin name is Triticum spelta. spelt (SPELT)
Primarily British, the past tense and past participle tense of spell which forms a word or a part of a word: "The man from England, who was visiting in New York, told the librarian that she spelt his name incorrectly."
"While visiting in London, I spelled the word favor in a note, but someone told me that in England they spelt it as favour." splatter, splutter
splatter (SPLAT uhr)
1. To move, fall, or to hit something in large drops: "Mud will splatter everywhere when the wet dog shakes herself."
2. To cause a liquid to move or to fall in large drops: "Why do you have to splatter paint everywhere?" 3. To hit something and to break it apart: "I can see that you have a big bug splatter on the windshield of your car." splutter (SPLUT uhr)
1. To make a spitting or choking sound: "I can hear the log splutter in the fireplace."
2. To say something in a choking incoherent manner: "She couldn't help but cough and splutter as she climbed out of the icy water." 3. To speak hastily and incoherently, as when confused or angry: "That's simply not true", he responded with a splutter. squib, squid
squib (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
squid (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
stable, stable, staple
stable (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
stable (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
staple (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
stagger, straggle
stagger (STAG uhr)
To move or stand unsteadily, as if under a great weight; to totter: "Sentence."
2. To arrange in alternating or overlapping time periods: "They staggered the nurses' shifts schedule." straggle (STRAG uhl)
1. To stray or to fall behind: "Sentence."
2. To proceed or to spread out in a scattered or irregular group: "Sentence." staid, stayed
staid (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
stayed (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
stair, stare
stair (STAIR)
One step of a flight or series of steps: "Sentence."
stare (STAIR)
1. To look directly and fixedly, often with a wide-eyed gaze; to look intently: "Sentence."
2. To be conspicuous; to stand out: "Sentence." stake, steak
stake (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
steak (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
stalactite, stalagmite, stalacto-stalagmite, stalemate
stalactite (stuh LAK tight")
A conical or roughly cylindrical speleothem formed by dripping water and hanging from the roof of a cave like an icicle; usually composed of calcium carbonate: "When we went to the cave, we could see the stalactites hanging from the ceiling."
stalacto-stalagmite (stuh LAK toh-stuh LAG might)
A columnar deposit formed by the union of a stalactite with its complementary stalagmite composed of mineral-rich water: "The combination of stalactites and stalagmites caused an interesting stalacto-stalagmite formation in this very large cave."
stalagmite (stuh LAG might")
A conical speleothem formed upward from the floor of a cave by the action of dripping water from a stalactite; usually composed of calcium carbonate: "In contrast to the thin stalactites, there are massive stalagmites, in some instances rising 40 feet from the floor of the cave."
stalemate (STAYL mayt")
Any position in which no action can be taken; complete standstill; deadlock, impasse, standoff; blockage, standstill: "The stubborn negotiators could not agree so they reached a stalemate and never resolved the issue of having a gambling casino in the city."
stalk, stalker
stalk (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
stalker (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
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