Confusing Words Clarified: Group G; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(lists of "G" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)
A great example of confusing words
Once 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.
When Jerome was introduced to Sally, he realized that he had committed an embarrassing gaffe when he didn't pronounce her name correctly.
It would be an unprecedented social gaffe if Emmett were to try to gaff when playing cards; in fact, his opponent might think of using a metal gaff to stop him.
The sausage apparently got stuck in Art's throat and he could only gag on it until it came out.
Why are so many people so gaga about that movie?
2. Crazy, silly, or foolish: It has been said, that a lot of people were gaga about President Obama; especially, right after his election."Polaroid Goes Gaga in that Lady Gaga will be in charge of directing Polaroid creatively, and she will also be in charge of working with them on a co-branded line, a Polaroid-branded sub-brand with a Lady Gaga twist to it."
At first, some people were gaga about the gag the comedian told in the restaurant, but it apparently caused others to gag on their food and there were those who were wishing that someone would put a gag on his "sick" humor.
2. A glove or other object that is thrown down or offered as a challenge to fight: The knight hurled his scarf down at the feet of the other warrior as a gage to confront him in a duel.
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.
In order to gauge his sincerity, she asked him to leave a gage in her safekeeping. This was the equivalent of the gage often referred to in romantic medieval ballads either when the princess could gauge the affections of the knight by the gage he left her or when a knight would throw his glove or gage to the ground to challenge an opponent.
2. To attain in competition or struggle; to win: Carl's team tried to gain a decisive victory over the opposing athletic team.
3. To obtain through effort or merit; to achieve: Shelby wanted to gain recognition with her volunteer work as an educational tutor.
As a gainly guy, Joseph tried to gain Karin's attention through his efforts to gain the last goal at the game.
In fact, he tried to gain an outstanding recognition from his coach and team members for his efforts, too.
The old dog’s limping gait nearly prevented him from making it into the yard before the automatic gate closed.
Because the gate was open, Jerry watched in horror as his pony, with an easy gait, went off down the road.
2. Something that tastes bitter: The medicine James had to take reminded him of gall, being very tart and acidulous.
3. A sore or irritation which has been caused by chafing: 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.
The Romans who invaded Gaul were clever, full of gall and had good leadership. Whenever the soldiers felt weak or intimidated or had a gall from their armor, the doctors boiled some gall and told them BE BRAVE or drink this gall.
The galleon sailed into the harbor after a long voyage.
The captain of the galleon, with his uniform festooned with a galloon of bright silver, ordered a gallon of rum to be distributed to the crew.
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 for spelling and factual errors.
2. A platform or construction in an auditorium which provides seating for an audience, often with inexpensive seats: The students always bought their tickets so they could sit in the gallery of the auditorium when they went to concerts.
When Trisha and Nikki visited the Maritime Museum, they sat in the gallery above the model of a galley and watched the staff from the museum demonstrate how printing used to be done.
2. A 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, Phillip asked his new friend about the weather.
The chess player’s expressions ran the gamut from fear to exhilaration as he pondered his gambit.
In response to the producer’s opening gambit, the face of the actor registered a gamut of emotions from fear to hatred.
The movie critic described the actor's dramatic skills as running the gamut of emotions from "A" to "B".
2. A risky action that may gain an advantage or a benefit if successful: Patrick took a gamble that stock prices would rise.
2. To skip about, as in dancing or playing: The little children loved to gambol in the play room.
The teachers took a gamble when they planned the end of school gambol for the students to be outside in the park.
Cara and James were gambolling on the playground, pretending that they were at the casino and were gambling. The high stakes were their lunches that they brought from home.
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.
During the severe rain storm, the railroad switchman wore a gauntlet on each hand to protect his hands while he was switching the gantlet to prevent any disasters.
The actors were putting on a Shakespeare play in the old jail building which had been converted to a community theater. In the play, the stage directions said "... and he was placed in gaol"; which was easy because we had not removed the old jail cells.
2. A wide disparity or difference in attitudes or opinions: The generation gap is the subject of many books and articles.
Through the gap in the stage curtain, Willian could gape unnoticed at the audience. He noticed a significant gap between the afternoon, the matinee, and the evening audiences.
I can hear the rain gargle noisily through the gargoyle on the edge of the roof.
Rebeca laughs every time she goes into the bathroom to gargle because the water spout in the sink is designed to look like a gargoyle.
