Confusing Words Clarified: Group W; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. +
(lists of "W" sections that are organized into what for some people are confusing groups of words)
Words are timeless. You should utter them or write them with a knowledge of their meanings and timelessness.
If you have any problems understanding the pronunciation symbols, go to this Pronunciation Chart for clarifications.
Frank had to wade through the tall grass to get to the top of the hill.
2. To become involved with something potentially risky or dangerous: Despite his better judgment, the police officer decided to wade into the unruly crowd.Neil found out that the bananas weighed more than the pears.
2. Having thought carefully about something and formed an opinion or made a decision: Before making a decision about buying a new car, Ted weighed the pros and the cons.Cindy was carrying her little brother on her back, whom she declared weighed a ton, when she tried to wade across the stream.
"The teacher indicated that she would have a waiver of any final exam for that particular class."
"Erik didn't waver in his decision to retire from teaching school."
2. To become unsteady because of weakness, emotion, tiredness, etc.: "During long sermons at church, Jack's attention would sometimes waver because he was thinking about other things.""Kim's voice seemed to waver while she was telling her friends about the accident."
Keith decided to have a glass of milk and a cheese wafer or two while his mother seemed to waver about his request to grant a waiver to his early curfew.
2. An informal British term meaning foolish or dull talk or writing that continues for a long time: "The speech was a load of waffle about politics."
Having breakfast with some people is always interesting. So often someone will waffle back and forth between whether to have pancakes for breakfast or to have a waffle with syrup, while maintaining a dull waffle about the weather.
"The politicians decided to wage a battle against the proposed new law."
The union leadership decided to wage a strike against their employer in hopes of gaining a higher hourly wage and increased benefits for their members.
2. To attack vehemently: "The politician was on TV where people could hear him whale away at his critics."
If the biggest animal in the ocean could cry loudly, would that be considered a whale wail or even a wailing whale; especially if someone were whaling it?
"James has a narrow waist and broad shoulders as a result of working out so often."
"Too much water has resulted in waste because of excessive or careless use; such as, steam, that escapes without being used or leaving the faucet on when the water is actually not being used."
When some people are eating, if they are dieting, some of the food may go to waste; but, they can be sure that if they over eat, it will go to their waist.
Some people simply waste their time trying to keep their waist slim and trim.
There's an old saying that says, "Haste makes waste." Well, there are also those who believe that "Haste can reduce waists."
Sam's wife told him that working out to reduce his waist and continuing to eat so much was turning out to be a waste of his time and money!
2. To serve food or drink as in a restaurant or other eating place: "The waitress will wait on your table in a few minutes."
2. A heavy object that is lifted during exercising: "Karl lifted up a ten pound weight with his index finger!"
3. A difficult responsibility: "Keith had hoped that he could have taken off the weight or burden from his shoulders, but he couldn't."
Ron, if you want to determine the weight of your package, you will have to wait until the weighing scale is available.
Weight is what a man always loses when his wife is on a diet.
2. To abstain from applying or enforcing a rule, a restriction, or a fee: "The college will waive Mary's tuition expenses because she has a scholarship that will pay for the necessary costs."
"The schools waive the costs for books for low-income students."
2. A strong feeling that suddenly affects someone: "An unexpected wave of fatigue overcame Robin after working two days without sleep."
With the wave of her pen, the librarian was able to waive the overdue fine on the book which Frank lost and he was happy to wave goodbye as a sign of appreciation.
"Lori thinks her old computer is still a technological wonder."
It is a wonder to Carmen how some people can wander around in an art gallery all day and still wonder at all of the art works.
2. To become smaller or less, to decrease in size, amount, length or quality: "Tiffany's interest in buying the fancy shoes might wane when she hears how expensive they are."
2. To become larger or more, to increase in amount, size, etc.: "Albert's interest in the novel seems to wax depending on the amount of suspense there is."
3. To talk or write about something in a way that shows that you are experiencing a specified mood or feeling: "Whenever Gerald asks Cindy about her holiday, she will wax nostalgic for quite awhile about her trip to Europe."
4. To apply a protective substance to a surface: "Joe decided to wax his car even on a sunny day."
Paul's interest in the new wax museum will rapidly wane if this tour doesn't get started soon. There was a time when Wanda could wax enthusiastic, but now she seems to be getting jaded or weary and bored.
2. To need something: "Terry will want to give his table another coat of paint tomorrow."
2. A habit or way of behaving: "Bill had some beer at the pub after work, as is his wont to do every evening."
Eric decided that he won't invite his cousin to the party even though he knows that she will want to come because it is her wont to insist on singing even though she performs very loudly and out of tune.
2. An organized effort by a government or other large organization to stop or defeat something that is viewed as dangerous or bad: "The war to defeat cancer is being pursued in many countries."
Jose wore his comfortable shoes when he walked across the battle ground where a terrible war had been fought many years ago.
2. The act of using something as clothing: "These shoes are very good to wear everyday or as often as Carol wants to."
3. Damage that is caused by use: "Since so many people are walking on the old rug in the hallway, it is obvious that it will wear out and should be replaced soon."
2. Used for asking about or referring to a situation or a point in a process, discussion, story, etc.: "The police officer asked, Sam, where did you come from and where are you going?"
Paula's friends were all ready to go but she couldn’t decide what to wear to the glassware party and then she realized that she doesn't know where it is.
In the children's story, the comical hat seller always wears his wares stacked on top of his head.
Paula tried to warn Bill that his shoes have holes in the soles. Actually, it looks as if he has worn them out.
Confusing Words: Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs; explained and demonstrated.
Confusing Words: Units, Groups A to Z.
Confusing Words: Vocabulary Quizzes Listed.
