Confusing Words Clarified: Group V; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(lists of "V" 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. Something that covers or hides something else: "A veil of moss covered the trees next to the meandering stream, like in a fairy tale."
The mist hung like a veil over the vale and the village seemed to veil out of sight in the heavy mist.
2. Not yielding the desired outcome; fruitless: "He made a vain attempt to pass his chemistry test."
When the newly graduated doctor wrote that his patient's blood vane needed medical attention, the head physician said that it was the first time he had ever heard of the wind influencing a vain blood vein.
2. A man's personal male servant: "The valet cleaned the man's shoes every evening before retiring for the night."
2. A low period, point, or level: "There was a peak and a valley in the usage of gas throughout each month of the last year."
2. A lot of comments, questions, etc., that are directed at a person very quickly: "A volley of questions were presented to the head officer by the press."
The valet said he would valet her car right after he had driven down to the valley; however, he left quickly before a volley of questions could delay his departure.
The music program was varied because various bands and soloists were invited to perform.
2. To make something different, to make changes to something so that it is not always the same: "He tries to vary the menu by trying to offer something new each week."
2. Used to emphasize the exactness of a description: "Mom and Dad said I could have my very own room now and I don't have to share it with my sister anymore."
The price of tickets may vary; so, if your seat is very high in the balcony, it will be cheaper than if you sit on the main floor.
2. A vein or artery that carries blood through the body: "You could easily see main blood vessel on his arm."
3. An open dish or container typically for liquids: "Some wine was served from the old drinking vessel."
The vassal was asked to carry the vessel to the table where it was packed in a box and taken to a large river-going vessel for shipment to its destination.
2. A locked room where money or valuable things are kept: "I had never been in the bank vault before."
2. A quick jump or movement during fencing to avoid a thrust: "The fencing master taught the students how to use the volt so their opponents couldn't score."
When the man was exploring the ancient vault under the market square, he carried a nine volt battery for his portable light so he could see if he needed to vault over the broken stones.
The little girl was so enchanted by the vernal greenness of the garden that she committed a venial act of picking the flowers.
The house and garden belonged to a stranger whom the neighbors thought of as venal because there were rumors that he had been arrested for committing fraud.
2. To release or to discharge (steam, for example) through an opening: "We were venting the fumes from the chemical mixture by opening the windows."
The woman found herself venting her anger when the vending machine took her money and didn't even give her the bag of chips that she wanted.
2. A way of behaving or appearing that gives other people a false idea of your true feelings or situation: "Their marriage appeared to be wonderful, but it was really just a veneer."
The wood panels which lined the walls of the large venue where the reception was held were made of oak veneer.
2. The Roman goddess of beauty and love: "When in Rome, I saw a beautiful statue of the goddess Venus."
In her youth, she was compared to Venus; however, with age, her legs became very venous. The dramatic change in her looks gave rise to venomous gossip.
The student's voracious appetite for knowledge resulted in his veracious statements to the librarian about the books he borrowed.
2. The quality of being truthful or honest: "The lawyer hoped the jury wouldn't doubt the veracity of the witness."
The voracity of his mind to read and to absorb new information was matched by the veracity of his essays which were written in lucid or easy to understand prose.
2. A part of a poem or song: "How many verses does this poem have?"
2. Used to indicate two different things, choices, etc., that are being compared or considered: "We have a choice of staying home this summer versus going to Europe on vacation."
The woman was never sure which gave her the most pleasure; to read verses that were published in the newspaper versus reading verses in books.
The teacher was caught in the vortex of controversy about the textbook for her geometry classes. There seemed to be a question about the veracity of the formula for calculating the vertex of a triangle.
Confusing Words: Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs; explained and demonstrated.
Confusing Words: Units, Groups A to Z.
Confusing Words: Vocabulary Quizzes Listed.
