Confusing Words Clarified: Group K; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(lists of "K" 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. An aid; such as, a word that helps to resolve a situation or a game: The key to solving the crossword puzzle was "siphon".
3. A legend or explanation of markings on a map: Dora checked the key on the street guide so she could determine the distance to the next city.
4. A coral reef off the southern coast of Florida: Have you ever been to the Florida Key?
After studying the key on the map, Bryan traveled to the Florida Key where he located the historic quay.
After Karen's speech, which outlined the key points in the history of the quay, the guide unlocked the gate with her key and the visitors spent the day exploring the quay and admiring the key on the blue sea.
2. To slaughter an animal for food: The Indians on the plains of North America were hunting to kill the bison and deer for food and for their hides.
3. To cause an interruption or stoppage: Danny had to kill the engine in his car because the motor was smoking and making an awful noise.
When Marissa starts her electric kiln, she must be careful not to overload the circuits or she will kill the electrical input and have to change the fuse.
2. A rogue or a rascal; a dishonest person; a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel: The knave was caught trying to put his hand into the woman's purse to steal her money while he was pretending to help her across the street.
3. One of four cards in a set of playing cards depicting a jokester or trickster: When Karin was playing cards, she had one knave, or jack, and was hoping to collect the other three.
The knave was caught hiding in the nave of the church.
2. To make or to shape by or as if by folding, pressing, and stretching with the hands: The artist had to knead the clay until it was smooth so he could create his sculpture.
3. To squeeze, press, or to roll with the hands, as in massaging: Shirley went to the physical therapist so he could knead her painful shoulder muscles.
Children have a special need for affection.
"I work as a baker," said Dusty Joe, "since I'm a cake maker and knead the dough."
Nathan will need to go to the massage therapist because he was accidentally kneed when he was playing football. He is convinced that it will feel good to have the therapist knead his back muscles for a while.
Kay felt that she needed a glass of water after doing strenuous exercises in the fitness studio.
Getting a massage makes Josie feel kneaded and she can't think of anything else that is needed more for muscular relaxation.
2. A phrase used to signify the end of something: The failure of the bank was the death knell for the road construction project.
From the top of the nearby knoll, Norman and his friends could see the village church and they could also hear the knell of the bells indicating the end of the working day and the start of evening prayers.
2. Describing the beginning of a situation or relationship: Shawn started his new job on Monday and was very pleased with his new boss.
Adam and Eve knew there was a new gnu at the zoo before they went.
Trina saw the antelope that was recently born in the zoo; and she wishes she knew if that new gnu with the Greek name of Nu will like its new home.
Travis, the jockey, is wearing new knickers in the colors of the stable for which he is riding. When he walks up to his horse, it nickers for a special treat before the race.
In the evening, if a man were to see a soldier in shining armor, he might be tempted to say, "Good night, Knight."
Economic advisers to a king suggested that, "To shrink the deficit, we recommend a knight tax which can be titled a sir-charge."
2. To mend or to cause something to grow together: The doctor assured Jack that his bones would knit together quickly after the medical treatment of his broken leg.
The children forgot and exchanged their home-knit hats on the playground. Unfortunately, that is a great way to exchange a nit or two and develop head lice, which are hard to get rid of.
2. Chiefly British, a person of wealth or social standing: Albert was considered a nob in his social circle.
The card-playing nob rested his hand on the knob of his cane while he was playing a game of nob which he was always winning.
2. To criticize or to find fault: Because Mark felt insecure, he was always trying to knock his colleagues about their work.
2. The notch in the end of an arrow that fits on the bowstring: Rosario fit the nock of the new arrow carefully onto the bowstring before aiming her shot.
Don't knock Ryan's chances of winning the competition, because he is very good at quickly fitting the nock of his arrow to his bow during archery contests.
2. An interwoven or interlaced knob created by a flexible cord or fabric: A sailor on the ship needed to know the right knot to use when rigging the sails.
3. The measurement of a ship’s speed: The captain of the ship calculated his vessel was moving at one knot per hour.
2. The figure "0"; a cipher; a zero: Helena is going to receive naught for all of the hours that she worked at the food pantry for homeless people.
Douglas and Kim decided not to tie the knot while they were on vacation because they had naught to spend on the ceremony.
Later, Douglas and Kim took the ferry which traveled across the lake at just one knot per hour and she asked the captain if he would tie the knot for them. He did, and he also gave them an ornamental knot of rope as a souvenir.
2. Referring to a solid mass in a tree which is the result of the growth of a branch, creating a circular grain in the wood, as opposed to a straight grain when cut: The office was decorated with a panel of knotty pine wood.
A supervisor's secretary told her fellow worker, "Mr. Smith doesn't want to be disturbed. He says he's working on a naughty problem."
Her colleague replied with, "Hmmm, that sounds just like Mr. Smith."
Overhearing the conversation, the supervisor opened his door and responded with: "I said I was working on a knotty problem, not a naughty problem!"
The principal was faced with a knotty problem; that is, what to do about the two naughty youths who used spray paint on the knotty pine-board partition.
"No, Jim, I'm not wrong, you are!"
Fay said, "I know no better way to study Noh theater than to go to Japan."
Confusing Words: Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs; explained and demonstrated.
Confusing Words: Units, Groups A to Z.
Confusing Words: Vocabulary Quizzes Listed.