Confusing Words Clarified: Group M; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(lists of "M" 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.
The food bank provided the material that was needed to help support a hungry community.
2. That which can be refined into a more finished form: Shanna's research provided new material for the biography she was writing about the painter.3. Information which is the object of study: The course outline for Tony's class indicated the material that would be covered each week.
The material for Billy's research project was to compare the response of the purchasing public to reading about a new material for camping equipment versus reading about a new matériel. He wanted to determine if the foreign sounding word affected the choice of the customers.
2. An expression indicating uncertainty: Maybe Victor is being too optimistic, but he really thinks he can get this project completed.
3. Used to give a response that is neither yes nor no: Jane asked, "So, do you want to come with us or not?" And Jack answered, "Well, maybe."
4. Used to introduce advice or suggestions: Larry said, "Maybe you should ask Latonya what she means before you jump to conclusions."
5. Indicates an approximate estimation; such as, of frequency or a number: The forests in this region are no more than 60, maybe 70, years old.
Eugenia may be wrong, but she thinks the store is closed by now.
It may be that the weather report is right and maybe there will actually be sunshine tomorrow.
2. The ground seeds of certain grass plants: Aaron took the wheat to the mill to be crushed into meal.
With great zeal, Monroe ate his first meal after a long fast.
2. Repellent, selfish, petty; bad-tempered, vicious, unmanageable: Dale's mean arrogance resulted in his brother leaving without saying a word.
3. Pertaining to the middle position, halfway between extremes: Sean noticed that he was in the mean position in the lineup to buy tickets for the movie.
Ingrid's mien was very elegant despite her rather mean beginnings. At times, she felt as if she were in the mean between two cultures.
Dena once said, "I mean to go to the big city to live with other educated and refined people."
2. To come together in order to talk about or to discuss something: Fay wants to meet Ingrid downtown tomorrow to deliberate on a better way to sell their products.
The families deserved to have the restaurant mete out a lunch where the meat would meet the taste buds of the eaters.
In Germany, a van used by a small business for preparing meals for parties, etc. was seen with the words: "Meating Point" painted on its sides.
Consuelo had a tendency to meddle in her sister's family affairs and caused many arguments.
In spite of the efforts of the jury to meddle with the judge's decision, Fay decided to award the medal of achievement to the best student.
A medal of honor is the best thing to induce chest expansion.
2. An individual through whom messages are passed to and from the dead to those living and the other way around, too: Clarence's aunt was believed by many to be a medium through whom they could pass messages to their departed loved ones.
3. A liquid used by painters in which color pigmentation is mixed: Some artists use egg yolk as the medium for their pictures.
The media talked much about the artist and the new medium which she used for her paintings; however, the art critic assessed the sale value of her works in the medium range.
2. To settle or to reconcile differences between people: Negotiations are going on to mediate a cease-fire between the two belligerents.
2. To engage in devotional contemplation, especially prayer: Martin wants to meditate about the importance of God in his life.
Sue's doctor tried to mediate her emotional concerns by suggesting that she meditate some more and consider what the consequences would be if she doesn't see a psyciatrist.
Daily meditation, in some cases, may help certain people avoid the need for medication.
If people are incapable of being meliorative with their bosses and choose to tell their employers that their ideas are "stupid", such actions would no doubt be considered pejorative and the result would very likely be unemployment for them.
Under such stress, Marjory revealed an unexpected mettle.
Is it metal or mettle that is needed in stressful situations?
Did the Norsemen have mettle, or metal, craftiness, and good ships?
The most common error is to use metal in the sense of showing or trying one's physical and mental hardiness; so, remember that to show your mettle, you should be in sound physical condition.
2. A slipper typically without a back piece around the heel: The missing mule with the fluffy fur around it was found under the bed.
3. A person whose personality can be considered obstinate or self-willed: When Victor's mind is made up, he is as stubborn as a mule.
4. A machine used in the manufacture of worsted or thread that pulls and twists the fibre simultaneously: Debora's summer job was in the yarn factory, specifically monitoring the function of the mule.
A donkey whimper is also known as a mule mewl.
2. The sound made by a gull or a cat: Manfred could hear the mews of the kittens which were crying for their mother to nurse them.
3. Primarily British: Stables for animals in an enclosed space which are frequently converted into attractive housing: Sean was so lucky that he was able to find a home in the local mews which used to belong to the estate of the gentry.
4. A back alley or lane: Frankie walked down the narrow mews behind the houses to the mews where her horse was stabled.
2. One of several goddesses in Greek mythology responsible for arts and sciences: Did the Muse of Poetry play a lyre when she was singing?
When Fern was a poor and unknown author, she used to muse about the day when she could afford to live in the mews near the sea where she could hear the mews of the gulls flying over the harbor and the mews of the cats of St. Ives.
The might of the bull was such that he could pull the heavily loaded wagon with ease.
2. Utilized as an alternative expression for "should", "could", and "may": Greg said, "Sam, you might consider making a different choice."
2. To a small degree, somewhat, or slightly: The box could stand to be a mite size bigger.
Linda said, "This is a mite embarrassment, but Jeff needs to tell you something."
The might of the mite should not be underestimated.
2. Descriptive of female animals that are capable of processing milk for their young: Milch goats and milch camels are just a couple of additional dairy product producers besides cows.
2. Amounting to nothing; nil: Sandy has done zilch and not a bit to help her friend with the project.
Because she had not been fed nor given any water all day, the milch cow gave zilch milk when the farmer tried to milk her.
Confusing Words: Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs; explained and demonstrated.
Confusing Words: Units, Groups A to Z.
Confusing Words: Vocabulary Quizzes Listed.
