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Homonyms
Homonyms are words that sound the same when pronounced, but are spelled differently and have different meanings.
Example: Loose and lose
Many people make this mistake. They inevitably interchange the words loose and lose while writing.
Lose means to suffer a loss or defeat.
Thus, you would write:
Correct: I don't want to lose you.
Wrong: I don't want to loose you.
Loose means NOT FIRM or NOT FITTING.
In this context, you would write,
Correct: My shirt is loose.
Wrong: My shirt is lose.
Here are many more homonyms which you have to know to write distinctively.
Bail :
Security given for release from jail, as in: The bail was set at $100,000.00
Bale :
A large bundle, as in: The hay was collected together and compressed into a bale.
Bare :
Exposed to view, as in: The bare branches of the trees made lacy patterns against the winter sky.
Bear :
(1) Carry or transport, as in: I bear a gift for you.
(2) Tolerate, stand or endure, as in: I can't bear to hear another word.
(3) A large mammal, as in: At the zoo we saw a bear.
Base :
The bottom part which supports that above it, as in: We camped overnight at the base of the mountain.
Bass :
Deep or low in sound, as in: You sing the high notes, and I'll sing the bass.
Bases :
(1) Plural of base, as in: The Army is closing down its bases in that country.
(2) Plural of basis, as in: The bases of all his theories were flawed.
Basis :
Fundamental principal, as in: Your accusation has no basis in fact.
Bazaar :
Marketplace, as in: The charity held a fund-raising bazaar.
Bizarre :
Very odd, as in: Her outfit was too bizarre for the workplace.
Beat :
(1) Strike repeatedly, as in: Percussion bands beat their drums at an unbelievable tempo.
(2) Defeat, as in: Your team will never beat the champions.
Beet :
Root vegetable, as in: The common red beet can be cooked and eaten.
Berry :
Small, pulpy fruit with many seeds, as in: I love berry pie.
Bury :
Put in the ground and cover, as in: If we bury the treasure no one will find it.
Berth :
A resting place, as in: When we go on the train, which berth do you want, upper or lower?
Birth :
Being born, as in: The birth of our first child was a happy occasion.
Beside :
By the side of, as in: Sit down beside the fire and get warm.
Besides :
Moreover or else, as in: I'm not hungry; besides, I'm allergic to nuts.
Among :
In the midst of three or more, as in: The four older children decided among themselves to surprise Mother and Father with breakfast in bed.
Between :
In the midst of two, as in: The two younger ones decided between themselves to clean the kitchen.
Autobiography :
One’s own life story, as in: I am writing my autobiography.
Bibliography :
list of books about a subject, as in: Please include a bibliography with your research report.
Biography :
a person's life story, as in: She is writing a biography of Marie Sklodowska Curie, the chemist and physicist who with her husband discovered radium in 1898.
Billed :
Sent a statement of money owed, as in: Would you like to pay cash now or be billed?
Build :
Construct or assemble, as in: You can build good credit by paying bills on time.
Blew :
Sent forth a current of air, as in: The wind blew across the desert.
Blue :
A color, as in: The editor marked corrections with a blue pencil.
Bloc :
Group with a shared purpose, as in: The measure was opposed by the farm bloc.
Block :
(1) A chunk, as in: He is going to carve an animal from that block of wood.
(2) Hinder, as in: The police lined up their cars to block the bankrobbers' escape.
Board :
(1) Piece of wood, as in : The diver hit his head on the board.
(2) Council, as in: I'll make your suggestion to the board of trustees.
Bored :
Tired of the monotony, as in: After ten speeches, I got bored because every speaker said the same thing.
Boarder :
A lodger who receives meals regularly at a fixed price, as in: To earn extra money, we took in a boarder.
Border :
Boundary, as in: Be sure to have your passport when you cross the border.
Bolder :
More daring, as in: If you want to be noticed, perhaps you need to be a little bolder.
Boulder :
A large rock, as in: The road was blocked by a boulder.
Born :
Brought into existence, as in: A new nation was born from the ashes of the old one.
Borne :
(1) Carried, as in: All their belongings were borne on their shoulders.
(2) Tolerated, as in: Any more outbursts like that simply will not be borne.
Boy :
Male child, as in: Is your new baby a boy or a girl?
Buoy :
A floating marker in the water, as in: When they saw the buoy, they knew they were entering the channel.
Brake :
Device that helps you stop, as in: When the driver saw the cow in the road, he hit the brake.
Break :
Rupture, fracture, or crack, as in: Don't play ball in the house, because you'll break something.
Bread :
Food made of grain, as in: I love to eat homemade soup and fresh bread.
Bred :
Past tense of breed, as in: Some dogs are bred for strength, some for intelligence.
Breadth :
Width or broadness, as in: The breadth of his knowledge of world history surprised everyone.
Breath :
Respiration, as in: Hold your breath while I take the X-ray.
Breathe :
Inhale and exhale, as in: Breathe in that fresh air!
Bridal :
Having to do with a marriage ceremony, as in: The bridal bouquet was made of daisies and wildflowers.
Bridle :
(1) Having to do with horseback riding, as in: The bridle path was crowded this morning with weekend riders.
(2) Restrain or control, as in: I wish I could learn to bridle my tongue.
Broach :
Introduce, as in: While the boss was in a good mood, I decided to broach the subject of a raise.
Brooch :
Ornamental pin, as in: She wore a beautiful diamond brooch.
Bouillon :
Clear soup with a strong flavor, as in: For the first course I'll have beef bouillon.
Bullion :
Precious metals, formed into bars, as in: The coach was loaded with hundreds of bars of gold bullion.
Buy :
Purchase, as in: More and more customers are willing to buy goods from an online storefront.
By :
Through the action of, as in: This Web page designed by P. Sato Design.
Bye :
Short form of goodbye, as in: Bye for now.
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