Confusing Words Clarified: Group R; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(lists of "R" 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.
2. The pelt or fur of a hare: Maude's new cloak is made of soft rabbit.
3. A member of a track team who sets the running pace for other teammates as part of a long distance run: Martin's cousin trained to be the rabbit for the cross-country racing club.
Debora became almost rabid in her defense of her pet rabbit’s chewing behavior when visiting her friend.
2. Regarding an animal which is infected with a deadly viral disease: People were fearful of being bitten by the rabid dog that was running around in the neighborhood.As Mack was taking a break from making the rabbet for the piece of furniture he was constructing, he noticed a rabbit being chased by what seemed to be a rabid dog.
2. An iron bar, usually with a bent end, used to skim, to stir, or to puddle melted iron: At the smelter, the worker using the rabble to rake the liquified metallic element requires extensive training.
2. Worn or broken stones, etc. that are used as filling in the construction of walls: The stone mason saved the rubble from his work to be used later when the wall was built.
3. Unfinished stone from a quarry: The sculptor used the rough piece of rubble from the quarry to carve a beautiful statue.
At the construction site, the worker used a rubber handled rabble to break up the cement into rubble which was considered rubbish. The worker was paid with a currency of rubles which were transferred directly into his bank account.
2. A contest of speed based on a set course and specific time frame: The cross-country race was set to begin in the afternoon and the runners would pass through both flatland and hills before returning to the starting gate.
3. A rivalry or contest between two or more groups with the goal of winning something; such as, a pennant: The two colleges participated in an annual race for the banner and the prize money.
4. A track or groove through which something slides or rolls: The ball bearings slid down the race and into the gear box for the car.
2. To move at maximum velocity: Jillian's cousin will race his car around the track in hopes of breaking the speed record.
2. A grouping of people sharing traits that are passed on through generations and whose traits have become distinctive to that group: Typically the Aboriginal race in North America has darker hair than Europeans.
The descendants of an ancient race scheduled a race down the race of the local river.
2. An instrument or tool designed for torture so as to cause extreme pain: The museum had an example of a rack that was used for torture during the Middle Ages.
3. The manger for holding food for livestock: The rack was filled with fresh hay for the cattle.
4. A net or framework to be placed in a river to catch fish or floating matter: The forester installed the rack in the polluted stream in hopes of gathering up the flotsam that was floating in it.
5. Deciduous horns, typically in sets of two, from such animals as moose: There was a fine rack of antlers displayed in the museum of wildlife from the park.
2. Seaweed or kelp: Karl watched the people of the seaside village harvest wrack and sell it as a crop.
Once Maribel had some wrack pie, an experience she never wants to repeat.
To stave off total wrack and ruin, the local people collected wrack to sell to the local dairy. In addition, they planned to design an artistic rack resembling the rack for cattle to be used to hold magazines.
2. An illegal scheme or enterprise involving fraud: Patricia was a member of a criminal racket.
3. Lightweight sports equipment consisting of a handle at one end and a net of thread or gut in an oval shape at the other end which is, for example, typically used to bat a badminton shuttlecock back and forth with an opponent: Antonio uses an aluminum racket which has helped to improve his tennis game considerably.
2. To hit a ball or shuttlecock back and forth between players: Tamika and her sister racket a badminton birdie every day for an hour.
Please stop the racket because Russell is trying to concentrate on the racquet game on TV.
There are those who say tennis is nothing more than a racket (with a ball) and as far as the players are concerned, love means nothing.
2. A sudden invasion or daring operation typically carried out by officers of the law against suspected criminals or wrongdoers: The police captain led the raid against the river pirates and captured the leader.
3. The recruitment by a company or business of personnel from a competitor: The personnel officer staged a corporate raid of senior employees from a competing firm.
The bank managers were manipulating the investment trading by deciding to raid their bank securities.
2. To have extended outward from a central focus: In her primitive drawing, Latonya drew yellow lines showing how the light rayed from the sun towards the earth.
3. To have been exposed to or placed in the path of radiation: The scientist was very upset because the box of specimens had accidentally been rayed by an unskilled technician.
The activities of the illegal gang had rayed into the corporate world where there was a scheme to raid public funds.
Their activities were curtailed when the police scheduled a raid. The criminals protested saying that they were only planning a corporate raid in order to recruit new members.
2. The fencing for a racetrack: The crowd pressed against the rail during the excitement of the competition.
3. A pole extending between two posts and whose function is to create a barrier: The new rail at the gate was painted bright red.
2. A system of traveling by train: Walter has to journey back and forth from his town to the city by rail every working day.
2. To use harsh or abusive language: Trisha could hear the actress rail against the director even though she was not in the room.
3. To install fencing: The project of the day was to rail the corral for the horses that were being delivered next week.
Don't rail at me because the rail at the racetrack is broken; instead, why not form a committee and rail a more secure rail. The committee agreed and returned to the city by rail.
The rain started just as Tracy was leaving the house, so she had to put up her umbrella.
2. A prevalent or common occurrence: At the end of the school year, the reign of confusion was widespread as the students cleaned their lockers and said goodbye to their friends and teachers.
2. Unhampered opportunity: Delories was given free rein in planning the party for the end of the year.
3. The strap which is fastened to the bit in an animal's mouth and by which the animal is controlled or directed: Sally held each rein for her horse in her right hand as she mounted it.
You may want to rein in your enthusiasm at the start of the reign for the new ruler. Your spirits might be dampened with the prediction of rain; however, the start of a new reign may be the signal to rain the new ruler with gifts, including a rein for is favorite horse.
2. To precipitate water from the clouds: It rains at least three times a week in the rain forest.
When you have spoken the word, it reigns over you. When it is unspoken, you reign over it.
Throughout the reigns of the great lords, the members of parliament have held the reins of power and a sense of peace and security rains throughout the land.
2. To elevate in terms of status: The promotion will raise Pete's colleague to a managerial position at the factory.
3. To enhance or to invigorate: Such a sunny day will raise Jill's spirits.
4. To collect funds to finance a special undertaking: Carl hopes to raise a large sum of money to contribute to the children's charity.
5. To bring an animal or child to maturity: There is a saying which indicates that it takes a village to raise a child.
6. To inquire about or to bring forth a topic for discussion or debate: Terry said he would raise the question of new prices for bus tickets at the next board meeting.
7. To cause the creation of a blister or sore: If Marissa does not wear gloves when she rakes leaves, the friction will raise blisters on her hands.
8. To increase the bid or offer on something: At the auction, the auctioneer attempted to raise the amount on the priceless piece of silver.
9. To increase or to cause the elevation of the baseline of something: The heavy rains will raise the level of the river.
The landlord told Etta that he was going to raise her rent significantly the following year.
2. Beams of light: The sun rays shined through the window illuminating the room and making it feel warm and comfortable.
3. Lines drawn from a common center: Shelby depicted the sun by drawing several rays emanating from the round yellow circle in the corner of her picture.
The carver used a small knife to raze the surface of the block of wood he was working on so he could make an ornament.
They had to raze the old building and build a new one so the sun’s rays wouldn't raise the temperatures so much.
A landlord told his tenant, "I'm afraid I will have to raise your rent." The renter responded by saying, "I wish you would; I'm sure I can't raise (get) it."
The crane raised the box from the floor to the shipping dock.
2. To have collected funds in support of an undertaking: Aimee was surprised to realize that she had raised enough money for her trip by selling her homemade cookies at the Farmers' Market.3. To have cultivated, to have influenced, or to have brought an individual to a point of maturity: Jaime raised her son to love books and to use the library regularly.
Listening to the radio broadcasts of opera every weekend raised Ebony's interest in this style of singing and she often bought tickets to attend her favorite presentations.
4. To have created a sore: Frank raised a blister on his foot because his shoes were too tight.
5. To have caused an increase in the cost of something: The merchant raised the price of the carpet when he realized that the tourist was interested in buying it.
6. To have caused the elevation or base level of something: Camille raised her test performance scores significantly by studying everyday after school.
Roger raised his eyebrows in astonishment at the equipment the crew used as the old building was razed to the ground. He thought the Committee to Save the Old Building had raised sufficient funds to protect it; however, inflation seemed to have raised the costs for everything.
The blacksmith repaired the broken rake so the farmer could complete his chores.
2. A man who leads an immoral life and is mainly interested in physical pleasure: The handsome neighbor became a selfish rake when he grew older and was not welcome in his family home.The old rake used a rake to rake the lawn.
2. To reassemble and to restore to order: As the deadline approached, the Captain worked to rally the troops before the next attack.
3. To rouse or to revive from inactivity or decline: Andrew was hoping that his team would rally in the fourth quarter and win the game.
2. An increase in price or value after a decrease in such values: The stock prices have improved after the U.S. dollar's rally in today's trading.
The call went out over the internet and twitter to rally all the students at the rally tomorrow. Justin wants to rally the students from their apathy which has resulted from the high cost of tuition.
2. A mobile staircase by which passengers board and leave an aircraft: The airline steward stood at the base of the ramp assisting the passengers as they departed from the plane.
3. A concave bend of a handrail where a sharp change in level or direction occurs; such as, at a stair landing: Carol held onto the ramp as she went down the steps to make sure that she wouldn't fall.
The company will simply have to ramp up production in order to complete the orders.
Sometimes a rant can achieve a purpose. Pat's aunt used to rant about the lack of a ramp at the doctor's office; now, not only is there a ramp for her wheelchair, but also a ramp for her to hang onto.
Mary heard a loud rap at her door which woke her up from her daydream!
2. A criminal charge or adverse consequence for an action: Steven took the rap for having been involved in the holdup at the gas station.3. The least or minimum interest: Brian does not care a rap about the rock concert that is coming to town the following week.
2. To put on a piece of clothing: Deloris would wrap herself in the heavy jacket before going outside into the cold.
3. To enfold, to bundle, or to conceal: Josie will wrap the delicate china in many layers of paper before putting it into a box.
Britney bought a recording of rap music to send to a friend. Although she doesn't usually care a rap for it, she will wrap and mail it to Jim next week.
Confusing Words: Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs; explained and demonstrated.
Confusing Words: Units, Groups A to Z.
Confusing Words: Vocabulary Quizzes Listed.
