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.stamp, stomp
stamp (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
stomp (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
stanch, staunch
stanch (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
stunch (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
staring, starring
staring (STAIR ing)
Definition: "Sentence."
starring (STAR ing)
Definition: "Sentence."
startup, startups; upstart, upstarts
startup (START up")
1. The act or process of setting into operation or motion: "They were looking for money to launch a starup.."
2. A business or an undertaking that has recently begun operation: "His business grew from a very small start-up to a multimillion-dollar corporation." 3. Primarily in the U.S.: newly successful people, businesses, etc.: "A few years ago, several guys had successful startups with their internet companies." upstart (UP start")
1. Someone who has gained sudden wealth, power or influence; but who has either not gained social acceptance or has become arrogant or presumptuous: "She is a young upstart from Yale University who thinks she knows more than the CEO of our company."
2. To spring up or to start up suddenly: "The wheat fields in this area are having amazing upstarts this spring." state, state
state (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
state (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
stationary, stationery
stationary (STAY shuh ner" ee)
Not moving; staying in one place or position: "The weather front has remained stationary in our area."
"The prices for the kind of machinery we are using has remained stationary over the last months." stationery (STAY shuh ner" ee)
Writing paper and envelopes and related office or personal supplies that are used for corresponding with others: "We are fortunate that we have a store in our neighborhood which sells stationery items and supplies."
He asked the salesman if the prices for the various kinds of stationery will remain stationary for the next months in case he needs to get some more for his business. statue, stature, statute
statue (STACH yoo)
A sculpture that represents a human or an animal which is usually made of stone, metal, etc.: "Including the base and pedestal, the Statue of Liberty is slightly more than 300 feet high."
stature (STACH uhr)
1. The level of respect that people have for a successful person, organization, etc.: "We are honored to be working with a writer of his stature."
"The computer software company grew in stature in just a few months." 2. The natural height of a human, animal, or some object in an upright position: "Since his stature in height was much more than the other basketball players, he had a significant advantage over the others."statute (STACH yoot)
An established law or rule that is formally created by a government: "The government's statute of limitations limits the time people can submit their tax reports."
"The state legislature passed the statue by an over whelming margin." The inspector told the sculptor that there was a city statute which prohibits a statue of such stature. steal, steel
steal (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
steel (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
steely, stele
steely (STEE lee)
1. Resembling steel, as in color or hardness: "He had a steely determination to succeed."
2. Being very strong and determined often in a cold or unfriendly way: "She gave him a steely look when he tried to talk to her." stele (STEE lee)
An upright stone or slab with an inscribed or sculptured surface, used as a monument or as a commemorative tablet in the face of a building: "The builders included a stele on the front of the building near the main entrance."
steer, steer
steer (STEER)
To direct the course of a vessel or vehicle by means of a rudder, steering wheel, or other guiding device: "Careful drivers can successfully steer their cars into proper parking spaces."
steer (STEER)
A male bovine animal; such as, an ox of any age raised for beef: "The farmer had a male steer which he was raising to become beef for human consumption."
steno, stereo
steno (STEN oh)
Short for stenographer or stenography: "As a steno, she used a steno pad when her employer was giving her information to be written down."
stereo (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
stentorian, stertorous
stentorian (pronun)
A very loud or powerful voice: "The teacher spoke to his noisy students with a stentorian tone."
stertorous (STUHR tuh ruhs)
Characterized by a harsh snoring or gasping sound: "He often disturbed his wife's sleep with his loud stertorous breathing."
step, steppe
step (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
steppe (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
step on it, step on it
step on it (STEP awn it)
To hurry up, or to go faster, in order to get something done quickly: "Come on, step on it so we can get this project finished tonight."
"Step on it or we are going to be late." step on it (STEP awn it)
To put or to set the foot down on something: "A mother saw a big bug crawling on the floor and she told her son to step on it before it went under the sofa."
A man was told to get a hamburger from the snack bar and to step on it! A foreigner over hearing this wondered why anyone would want someone to step on his food. sticks, Styx
sticks (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
Styx (pronun)
Definition: "Sentence."
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