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.
Dr. Smith told Jane about the risk of getting a heart disease if she didn't lose enough weight soon.
2. A factor, thing, element, or course of action involving uncertain danger; a hazard: Curtis and Earl discovered that they had to be prepared to face the risk of rattlesnakes, heat, and the lack of water in the desert.
As far as Karin is concerned, skydiving is not worth the risk.
3. Someone, or something, that is judged to be a good or a bad choice for insurance, a loan, etc.: The bank will determine if Todd is a good credit risk for the loan he has requested.2. To do something that might have injurious or bad results: Abigail was advised not to risk physical harm by traveling so soon after her operation.
There is the possible risk of falling off the mountain when a person is climbing. Committed climbers say that to risk falling is part of the allure and excitement of climbing; however, they always take precautions to reduce risk whenever possible.
2. Concerning something which involves the possibility of something bad or unpleasant happening: This investment could be a risky move for the company.
2. Referring to sex in a rude and slightly shocking way: Martin was surprised that Estella would tell such a risqué joke.
A "call girl" is a woman whose calling is a calculated risque.
Using risqué as part of an act has been labeled as a risky kind of blue material a comedian resorts to when he, or she, runs out of gray matter.
It's a risky business to tell risqué jokes when you don't know how your audience will respond.
Rodney and Norman rode in the back seat of the jeep.
2. To have been secured or moored: The ship rode at anchor in the harbor.3. To have survived, usually accompanied by the word "out": By careful management, Earl rode out the previous economic downturn.
Jerry rode along as Wayne rowed the boat from the island to the lakeside road.
When they are thirsty, the cattle will roam all day looking for water.
2. The name of at least two different cities in the United States: Just for fun, Dale wants to go see Rome, New York and Rome, Georgia.
Anita's neighbors have decided that they want to go to Italy this summer so they can roam around Rome and see the past and the present of that famous city.
I dare you not to roar with laughter when you read this book.
Over the roar of the falls, the rower shouted to the rest of the crew to turn back before it was too late.
2. A naturally formed aggregate of mineral matter constituting a significant part of the earth's crust: The Laurentian Shield in Canada is a layer of granite rock in Northern Canada which makes it difficult for trees to grow.
3. Popular music which is typically amplified: Sabina and Steve were getting ready to attend a concert of rock at a club in the evening.
4. Used in phrases to say that something is hard, steady, reliable, etc.: Walter works out quite often at the fitness studio, which is why, when Jane touches his arm, she senses that it is almost as solid as a rock.
The roc was perched on the outcropping rock near the sea and it appeared to rock in the breeze; or perhaps the roc was responding to the rock music from the cafe on the nearby side of the cliff.
2. The egg mass or spawn of certain crustaceans, such as the crab: When the lobster was picked up out of the water, you could see the roe under its tail.
3. A rather small, delicately formed Eurasian deer having short branched antlers in the male and a brownish coat: When Jack went for a walk in the woods, he saw a roe just ahead of him.
2. A succession without a break or gap in time: The football team has won the football title for three years in a row.
3. A tier or line of something aligned side by side, as in a classroom, a theater, or an auditorium: Gary and Eugenia were happy to get seats for the movie near the back row.
4. A range or bank of structures facing a street or a road: Steven and Fern were trying to find the right row of buildings where their friends lived.
2. To move something via boat or flat float by using oars or a pole: Carl, the only way we can get to the other side of the river is to row across it.
2. An uproar; a great noise: There was a row in the stadium as the opposing team made the final touch down.
3. Any dispute or disturbance: Goldie got into a terrible row with her husband while they were walking down the street.
There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row the boat, then later, there was another row about how they would divide the roe that were in the row of boxes they had placed on the wharf.
Former Governor Sarah Palin completed her memoir, titled Going Rogue: An American Life about which one reviewer stated that she was the "complainer-in-chief".
Keith, the charming rogue, distracted everyone with his jokes and compliments; no one noticed that he was disguising his true nature as a dangerous political rogue.
2. To get on the nerves of other people or to to upset them: Teenagers often roil their parents as they strive to achieve independence.
2. To stir a liquid mixture until it is evenly distributed: The pharmaceutical directions said to rile the medicine in a glass of water until it was cloudy.
2. Referring to the service of a kingdom or to regal leaders: David's cousin was accepted into the royal guards which are featured in palace parades.
Nell told Henry that it would rile her if he persisted in treating his lazy friends in such a royal manner. In addition, she told him not to roil her with his silly explanations and excuses.
2. To form or to wrap something into a ball shape: Before tossing the scrap paper into the recycling bin, Sue will roll it into a round fashion.
3. To continually shift one's visual sense organs, frequently in a context of amazement or fear: Adam saw Eve's eyes roll while she watched the sword swallower at the circus.
2. Patterns of social behavior as suggested by one's status in a group: Randy's role at family gatherings was as the wise and kindly friend.
The director called the roll, announcing a role for each participant at the same time. Martin saw his friend roll her eyes when she was given the role of a silly goose. His role required him to roll down the hill.
Ivan will rue the day that he signed a contract to work longer for the same pay.
Because Lorna was distracted when she was thinking about the baby roo she saw on her trip to Australia, she thought she would rue the day that she tried to make a roux for the soup she was cooking; however, the medicine made of rue was a big help in making her feel better after eating so much.
2. A unit of measurement equal to 7 or 8 yards or about 63 meters: The gardener thought that one rood wouldn't be enough for his garden, so the surveyor measured off six roods that he would need to plant the vegetables.
2. Not refined, offensive: William's manners were considered rude even though he knew his mother would have told him to be polite when visiting friends.
Willie rued the day that he allowed himself to be persuaded to purchase an "antique" rood. In fact, he figured that he was being a little rude to the merchant when he told him that he doubted its authenticity.
A rooming house is where a roomer spreads a rumor about another roomer.
Debbie heard a rumor that there will be a new roomer at the boarding house where she lives.
2. The part of the tooth that extends into the bone socket in the mandible: The dentist had to drill in order to remove the infected root in Jane's jaw because she was in a lot of pain.
3. The basics or essential core of a situation: Sometimes they say that money is the root of all evil, but Greg doesn’t accept that as always being the truth.
The full quotation suggests that an excessive "love" of money is the "root of evil" not necessarily "money" itself: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (From 1 Timothy 6:10 in the King James Bible).
4. A word origin from which other words are formed: Many expressions have been integrated into English from one Latin root after another resulting in thousands of Latin and Greek roots that provide us with tens of thousands of vocabulary terms that are utilized in multitudes of academic, technical, medical, scientific, and other areas.2. A territory to be serviced: The newspaper carrier had an extensive route for delivering the papers in the morning.
En route to his dentist for a root canal operation, he took a different route than he usually did and he got lost. Instead of stopping to ask for directions, he decided to beat a hasty rout and go home to call and cancel the appointment.
Shanda bought a single red rose for the vase on the piano.
2. To have achieved a promotion or an elevated rank: Through hard work Dominick's nephew rose from being a clerk in the store to being the manager.
2. To create an excitement within a group: The orator was able to rouse the crowd which cheered and applauded loudly.
While Lorri was standing in the park smelling the rose bushes, she saw a small herd of roes appear into the sunshine. Their appearance also served to rouse a sense of curiosity among a group of volunteers who were planting new rows of flowers in the park.
After their work, they went to the local inn and ordered a fresh rosé.
Confusing Words: Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs; explained and demonstrated.
Confusing Words: Units, Groups A to Z.
Confusing Words: Vocabulary Quizzes Listed.
