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.
2. An area of land covered with many trees: "Amanda's house is close to a wood area or forest."
2. Used to express a wish: "Norma wishes Tammy would write more often."
3. Used to say that you are willing to do something: "Alice said that she would be more than happy to help you."
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
2. Being furthest from an ideal or a standard; least desirable or satisfactory: "Well Gary, at worst, you won't lose your driver's license, but you will have to pay a fine."
Worst comes to Wurst is a headline appearing on the cover of the Smithsonian magazine for January, 2010.
The article title says, "Wurst Case Scenario, as Germans turn to American-style supermarkets, the local butcher—a fixture in their sausage-happy culture—is packing it in" by Andrew D. Blechman, page 73.
2. A feeling of sadness, anger, etc., which is caused by something bad that has happened to a person: "The mother's scorn and criticism of her son, Walter, left a wound in him that never healed."
"The seamstress wound the waist of the gown with lace and ribbons."
"The doctor wound Scott's injured leg with a bandage."
2. To have activated something; for example, a clock, by turning a key: "Laura wound the mantle clock every Saturday night."The bandage was wound around the wound on Cheryl's leg.
2. An informal expression in the U.S. meaning to get something by a clever manipulation or by persuading someone: "Justin's sister was able to wrangle two tickets to the concert for Saturday evening."
3. In the U.S., to control and to care for horses, cattle, etc. on a ranch: "Sandra spent last year learning how to wrangle horses."
How much wrangling will politicians wrangle in order to wrangle a re-election?
2. To inflict revenge or punishment on someone: "Melissa swore to wreak vengeance on Albert for all the cruel things he did to her during their marriage."
2. Something shattered, destroyed, or dilapidated: "Bonnie's house was a complete wreck after the hurricane struck."
3. A person who is physically or mentally broken down or worn out: "The stress of Edith's final exams turned her into a wreck."
Wreak is easily confused with wreck, perhaps because the wreaking of damage may leave a wreck or maybe because the differences in spelling must be given special attention.
Phyllis admitted that she has trouble wrenching herself away from a good book."
2. To injure a part of one's body by making a violent twisting motion: "Eddie wrenched his back when he tried to lift a heavy box while his son, Leo, at the same time, was wrenching his knee while playing football."3. To take something in a forceful way: "Carmen's little brother wrenched the toy away from Kim when she refused to let him have it back."
2. A violent twisting or pulling movement: "Mario snapped the tree's thick root with a wrench of the shovel."
Mike, the auto mechanic, wrenched his wrist when the wrench which he was using could not loosen the tight nut on the motor.
Calvin was trying to wrench the bolts off the wheel rim while he was changing the flat tire when he realized that he had the wrong size wrench.
Once he had the right wrench, with one strong wrenching motion, the bolts came loose and the job was done in a few minutes.
Confusing Words: Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs; explained and demonstrated.
Confusing Words: Units, Groups A to Z.
Confusing Words: Vocabulary Quizzes Listed.