Homonyms and Paronyms
Homonyms and Paronyms
Homonyms and Paronyms
Homonyms are words that are similar in sound but different in meaning. Paronyms are words that are similar in form or origin but different in meaning.
A list of some Homonyms and Paronyms is given below with illustrations.
(Homonyms and Paronyms)
1. Altar (the place of worship in a temple): There is a statue of Laxmidevi on the altar of the temple.
Alter (to change): He altered the order of words in the sentence.
2. Affect (to be influenced by; to act up): His speech affected the mind of the mob.
Effect (result): The effect of the Non-cooperation of Mahatma Gandhi was far-reaching.
3. Assent (consent): I can not give my assent to your decision.
Ascend (going up): We ascended the hill with much difficulty.
4. Allusion (a reference to): The new leader makes an allusion of Pandit Nehru in his lectures.
Illusion (deception ): Everybody of us had an illusion of water while crossing the desert.
5. Abstract (substance): The student could make an abstract of the lecture given on Mahatma Gandhi.
6. Acceptance (consent): He sent his acceptance of my invitation.
Acceptation (recognized interpretation): There are many acceptations of the motto.
Homonyms and Paronyms
7. Access (approach): We have easy access to our president.
Excess (to be more than enough): Nepon took some excess money.
8. Alternate (every other): Take the medicine every alternate day.
Alternative (choice between two or more things): There is no alternative to physical labour.
9. Admittance (physical entrance): No admittance is allowed in the room as the doctor keeps himself busy in his private matters.
Admission (admitted to some society or class ): His admission to the new society was highly praised.
10. Accede (agree to): He acceded to her brother’s request.
Exceed (to go beyond the limit): our annual income does not exceed to twenty thousand rupees.
11. Accept (to receive): She accepted my invitation.
Except (excluding): Everybody was present in the invitation except Ashok.
12. Adapt (to become suitable): He adapts himself to the new society.
Adept (skillful): My uncle is adept in music.
13. Assay (attempt): She assayed the utmost to win the match.
Essay (a narrative prose writing on a single topic): Write an essay on humanism.
14. Antics (tricks): Everybody dislikes him for his antics.
Antique (ancient): We meet a traveller who came from an antique land.
15. Apposite (proper): The leader made some apposite references to his arguments.
Opposite (of a contrary kind): Your behaviour is opposite to your speech.
16. Artist ( one who follows some arts): Ravana is a good artist.
Artiste (a singer, dancer, actor etc.): Bupen Hazarika is a reputed artiste.
Artisan (skilled worker): Babul is a good artisan in the cane industry.
17. Artful ( cunning): Kamala is an artful girl, so I dislike her.
Artistic (beautiful): Her paintings are very artistic.
Artificial (unnatural): We are accustomed to an artificial lifestyle.
18. Affectation (artificial or feigned display): We hate Ripom, because of his affectation.
Affection (a passion of love): We have affection to our children.
19. Auspicious (favourable): His auspicious assistance proved effective.
Auspices (under the patronage of): The seminar was held under the auspices of Lions Club, Howly.
(Homonyms and Paronyms)
20. Birth (to be born): The birth date of Mahatma Gandhi was October 2, 1869.
Berth (seat): He looks for a reserved berth in the Rajdhani Express.
21. Bear (to endure): I can not bear your insult.
Bare (naked, uncovered): I always take my morning walk on barefoot.
22. Bail (security): The thief was released on bail.
Bale (a package, a parcel): The shopkeeper sent the goods in a bale.
23. Beneficial (useful): Milk is beneficial to health.
Beneficient (kind): Ramenda is beneficent to the poor.
24. Bad (not good, wicked): It is better to be alone than bad company.
Bed (couch): I take my bed at 1 a. m.
25. Barbarity (cruelty): The barbarity of the terrorists is hated by all.
Barbarism (uncivilized condition): Barbarism is common in poor African villages.
26. Beach (sea-shore): I spent the night on the beach with my friends.
Beech (a kind of tree): There are many beech trees in the valley.
27. Born (taking birth): He was born on the first of January 1972.
Borne (carried): The wallet was borne by the servant.
28. Bridal (of the bride): The bridal ceremony of Miss Savitri was postponed.
Bridle (rein): Bridle is necessary to keep a horse under control.
29. Bough (branch of a tree): The bird is singing on the bough.
Bow (to bend down): We should bow down to our parents.
30. Borrow (to take on loan): I borrowed the book from my friend.
Burrow (a hole): The hare lives in the burrow.
Homonyms and Paronyms
31. Barren (unfertile): Barren land is not suited to crops.
Baron (landlord): In the middle ages the Barons were the owner of lands.
32. Counsel (advice): I am much helped by the counsel of the jury.
Council (an assembly): The proposition of the Red Bill is under discussion in the Legislative Council.
33. Current (torrent): The river Brahmaputra flows with an undercurrent.
Currant (dried grapes): The Currant of Afganistan is very costly.
34. Compliment (word of praise): He received a warm compliment from his friends for honesty.
Complement (that which completes): A complementary chapter on Verbs has been added to the book.
35. Cannon (big gun): Samrat Babar used cannon in India for the first time.
Canon (rule; a principle): We should obey the canons of religion.
36. Canvas (a rough cloth): Sita paints on a canvas.
canvass (to ask for votes): The leaders canvass during the election.
37. Cast (to throw): Please do not cast the stones to the wall.
Caste (a human community with particular creeds): There is still a caste system in Indian Hindu society.
38. Casual (occasional): He took a casual visit to us.
Causal (relating to the cause): We have a causal relationship as we practise some mutual habits.
39. Confident (to be sure of): I am confident of success in the examination.
Confidant (trustworthy): Ram is a confidant person.
(Homonyms and Paronyms)
40. Censure (to criticise): The new law concerning child labour is censured by some intellectualists.
Censer (a vessel in which incense is placed): Please put the incense on the censer.
41. Cite (to quote): Please cite some examples to prove your standpoint.
Site (place; situation): This is the site for the college.
42. Complacent (self-satisfied): We felt complacent for being successful against the terrorists.
Complaisant (polite): Complaisant boys are loved by all.
43. Contagious (a disease spread by touch): Cholera is a contagious disease.
Contiguous (adjoining): The temple is contiguous to our library.
44. Cord (string): Please tie the bundle with a cord.
chord (a string of a musical instrument): I need a piece of new chord for my violin.
45. Course (line of action): We pursued a long course to chase the terrorists.
Coarse (rough): I usually use coarse clothes.
46. Queue (line of people waiting for something): There is a long queue at the shop for ration.
Cue (a hint): The police could not find any clue of the culprit.
47. Cell (a small room): The doctor is in his cell.
Sale (an act of selling): The book gets a good sale.
48. Coma (to be unconscious): Ravana is in a state of coma for being caught by high fever.
Comma (a mark of punctuation): He often mistakes in using a comma.
49. Corpse (a dead body): The corpse was honourably buried in the grave.
Corps (a body or group): A corps of soldiers went there to subdue the violent mob.
(Homonyms and Paronyms)
50. Cease (to stop): Please cease to beat the thief.
Seize (to catch): He seized my watch and ran away.
51. Collision (striking against each other): He was wounded badly in a collision between a truck and a bus.
Collusion (secret understanding for an evil purpose): They did the thing by collusion with the police.
52. Credible (believable): The tale told by my grandmother is still credible.
Creditable (praiseworthy): Your attempt is creditable.
53. Cereal (a food grain): Paddy is a kind of cereal.
Serial (of a series): The novel of Radhakanta was published in the magazine in serial.
54. Continuous (to continue without any break): It has been raining continuously for the whole day.
Continuation (carrying on some course of action): The continuation of my study depends upon the financial condition of my parents.
Homonyms and Paronyms
55. Considerable (enough; much): He earns considerable money through painting.
Considerate (wise; thoughtful to others): Ramen is considerate to the poor.
56. Comprehensive (vast; all-inclusive): This new book is comprehensive of all the basic rules of grammar.
Comprehensible (which can be understood): Your lecture was comprehensible to all.
57. Contemptible (deserving contempt): Your manner of treating people is contemptible.
Contemptuous (showing hatred): Who can bear your contemptuous behaviour?
58. Ceremonious (excess of formality): I do not like his ceremonious attitude all the time.
Ceremonial (relating to rites and ceremonies): He was welcomed on a high ceremonial occasion.
59. Cession (to allow to separate): Our constitution does not allow any cession of our states from the federation.
Session (in an activity): The Legislative council is in session.
60. Corporal (physical): He got corporal punishment for committing sin.
Corporeal (having a body; material): We have been bestowed corporeal existence by Nature.
Homonyms and Paronyms
61. Childlike (innocent like child; it is used in a good sense): We like Radha because of her child-like behaviour.
Childish (foolish like a child; it is used in a bad sense): We hate Karim because of his childish behaviour.
62. Decease (death): The decease of Kalita followed the decease of his father.
Disease: Cholera is a contagious disease.
63. Deference (respect): We should treat our parents with deference.
Difference: There is no difference between Ram and Raj.
64. Dependent (depending upon): Karim is dependent on his brother.
Dependant (person who depends upon others): We have ten dependants to provide with food and lodging.
65. Defy (to challenge): Who is there to defy the courage of the wrestler?
Deify (to worship like a god): There are many who like to deify Mahatma Gandhi.
66. Desert (vast unfertile sandy region): In India, there is a desert called ‘Thar’.
Dessert (fruits served after a meal): The dessert they served in supper was very costly.
67. Dissent (disagreement): We have no dissent regarding the resolution.
Decent (fine; gentle): All are not suited to a decent society.
Descent (coming down): The descent from a hill is difficult.
68. Device (a plan): We found, after much search, a new device to catch the thief.
Devise (to make a plan): Please devise a way to get free.
69. Due (owing to): (i) Please pay your due. (ii) He could not attend the meeting due to his illness.
Dew: Dew falls at night in winter.
(Homonyms and Paronyms)
70. Dual (double): I am in need of a mobile handset with dual sims.
Duel (armed fight between two persons): Duel is not legal nowadays,
71. Draft (a rough copy): Please make a draft of the application.
Drought (want of rain): Many lands are lying uncultivated because of drought.
Draught (current of air): We feel cool because of draught.
72. Depositary (a person with whom something is deposited): Rajesh acts as my depositary.
Depository (a godown): I can not keep my things in your depository.
73. Definite (certain): Your failure is definite because you have not done your duty.
Definitive (decisive, final ): He made his definitive comments.
74. Doze (to feel sleepy): He dozed in class.
Dose (amount of medicine to be taken every day): Don’t forget to give the dose of medicine to the patient in time.
75. Dam (a large vessel): There are many dams in India.
Damn (be condemned to hell): The sinners are damned to hell.
76. Eminent (famous): Nabakanta Baruah is an eminent poet of Assam.
Imminent (approaching): Our final examination is imminent.
Homonyms and Paronyms
77. Elicit (to find out or draw out): The truth was elicited after asking many questions.
Illicit (unlawful): Bribery is illicit.
78. Eligible (fit for some post): Kanak is eligible for the post of a constable.
Illegible (not clear to understand): I am unable to read his illegible handwriting.
79. Economic (material needs of a man): I am here to cease my course of studies for my poor economic condition.
Economical (thrifty): Dev is economical in his daily needs.
80. Emigrate (to go out of one’s own country to some other country for a living): Many Assamese have emigrated to America.
Immigrate (to come into a country with the purpose of living there): Many Burmese have immigrated to India.
(Homonyms and Paronyms)
81. Emerge (to come out): The rills emerge from the Himalayas.
Immerge (to go down into): I saw him immerging into the water.
82. Erupt (to burst out): Suddenly the volcano erupted and caused many devastations.
Irruption (entering into all of a sudden): The irruption of the terrorists in Assam is very dangerous.
83. Elusive (that which can not be grasped or understood): Some odes by John Keats are elusive to me.
Illusive (deceptive): The world is illusive.
84. Efficacious (useful): Milk is efficacious for health.
Efficient (skilled, capable): Robin is an efficient painter.
85. Exhausting (that which makes a man tired): Digging into the earth is exhausting.
Exhaustive (thorough; including all aspects): The New Millennium English Grammar is a grammar of exhaustive kind.
86. Envelope (a cover): Please put the letter in an envelope.
Envelop (to cover on all sides): The room was enveloped with paintings.
Homonyms and Paronyms
87. Egotist (a self-centred person): Most humans are egotists.
Egoist (one who thinks that man is by nature selfish): We are all egoist.
88. Exceptional (rare, uncommon): There are some exceptional qualities in Ramen.
Exceptionable (objectionable): His comment on the rising price of necessary goods is exceptionable.
89. Elemental (primary): The students are deprived of even elementary knowledge of religion in schools.
90. Fair (beautiful): Rabina is a fair lady.
Fare: What is the train fare from Guwahati to Delhi?
91. Floor: The floor of the house is painted with blue colour.
Flour (powder of wheat used as food): We made bread with flour.
92. Fatal (deadly): Rajesh has got a fatal wound in his leg.
Fateful (decisive; important): The battle of Sharaighat was a fateful event in the history of Assam.
93. Feign (pretend): He feigned to be sick of a fever.
Fine (good, well): I am fine now.
94. Foul (dishonest): The Indian politicians earn money by foul means.
Fowl (a kind of bird): Nowadays fowls are rare of seeing.
95. Faint (to swoon): He fainted as he was much tired.
Feint (a trick to deceive an enemy): During World War-II, the Russians took feint means to bewilder the enemy.
Homonyms and Paronyms
96. Festive (joyous; mirthful): Now you seem to be in a festive mood.
Festal (pertaining to a feast): We enjoyed a festal holiday on the day of Kati-Bihu.
97. Forceful (impressive): Our principal delivered a forceful lecture on the occasion of Id-ul-Fitr.
Forcible (by the use of force): The terrorists have been driven away from the village forcibly.
98. Felicity (happiness): The felicity of life depends upon how we live.
Facility (ease or comfort): We got a little facility during our childhood.
99. Fragrant (sweet-smelling): The garden is full of fragrant flowers.
Flagrant (glaring): It was a flagrant case that proved to be illegal.
(Homonyms and Paronyms)
100. Forward (to proceed): The police superintendent ordered the constables to go forward.
Foreword (preface): Generally every book contains a foreword.
101. Gait (manner of walking): The gait of the boy is oblique.
Gate (wide door): please stand up at the gate.
102. Gild (to apply golden paint): The door of the masjid was gilded in the 17th century.
Guild (a union of workers): The guild of the workers striked for more salary.
103. Goal (aim): What is your goal in life?
Gaol (jail): The culprit was put in gaol.
104. Graceful (charming): His attitude towards his parents is graceful.
Gracious (kind, merciful): God is all gracious.
105. Ghastly (like a dead body; pale): He was looked ghastly because of his constant fever.
Ghostly (like a ghost): He looks ghostly in his white dress.
106. Herd (a group of animals): A herd of oxen are grazing in the field.
Heard (past form of the verb ‘hear’): I have heard your call.
107. Hart (male deer): There are many harts in the zoo of Guwahati.
Heart: Ram fainted because of heart pain.
108. Hoard (to store): He has hoarded a good deal of rice.
Horde (a group; a gang): A horde of terrorists gathered there.
109. Hew (to cut down): Please hew the tree soon.
Hue (colour): The hue of his painting is reddish-brown.
110. Hale (healthy): Renuka is hale and healthy
Hail (rain with storm and hill): Yester-night a mighty hail storm destroyed our crops.
111. Heir (successor): After the death of Humayan, his child Akbar became the heir of the Mughal Empire.
Hare (an animal): Hares are generally very mild.
Homonyms and Paronyms
112. Healthy ( with good health): Ramen is healthy.
Healthful (useful for health): A morning walk is healthful.
113. Historic (relating to history): The Red Fort of Delhi is a historic building.
Historical (based on history): Rajanikanta wrote many historical novels.
114. Human (belonging to mankind): To err is human.
Humane (kind): Renin bears a humane heart.
115. Honourable (worthy of respect): Our principal is an honourable person.
Honorary (a post without salary): He is our honorary principal.
116. Humility (modest): Rehman’s humility is worth praising.
Humiliation (insult): What a humiliation he faced!
117. Imaginary (unreal): During my childhood, I had been living in an imaginary world of my own.
Imaginative (given to imagining): John Keats was a highly imaginative poet.
118. Imperial (relating to an empire): The imperial court of China was full of paintings.
Imperative (urgent): Your advice becomes imperative for me to act upon.
119. Incite (to provoke): Kanak incited Babar to insult the portman.
Insight (an understanding of): I got ample insight of the book after discussion with you.
120. Industrial (relating to some industry): Kolkata is an industrial city.
Industrious (labourious): Renin is an industrious student.
121. Ingenious (clever): He is ingenious in speaking his own matters.
Ingenuous (frank and innocent): We like Babloo because of his ingenuous nature.
122. Indict (to accuse): The magistrate indicted Chandradhar of stealing the watch.
Indite (to write): please indite what I say.
123. Inflammatory (exciting): His speech is inflammatory.
Inflammable (that which burns easily): Petrol is highly inflammable.
124. Impassable (that which can not be crossed): The great wall of China is generally impassable.
Impossible (not possible): It is impossible for me to act upon your order.
125. Inculcate (to admonish): The teacher inculcated him to turn into the right course.
Inoculate (protect against disease with vaccine): The children should be inoculated in due time.
126. Judicial (relating to a law court): The solution of a dispute is a judicial matter.
Judicious (wise): Our principal is a judicious person.
127. Knotty (having knots, difficult): The problem was very knotty to be solved.
Naughty (wicked): Ramananda was a naughty boy.
128. Knave (wicked person): Latika is a knave girl.
Nave (the hub of a wheel): There is a nave in every wheel.
129. Lose: He has lost the key.
Loose: Tight the loose screw.
130. Lovely (beautiful): Nalini is a lovely girl.
Loveable (worthy of being loved): Sridevi is a loveable girl.
(Homonyms and Paronyms)
131. Lessen (to reduce): We should try to lessen our burden.
Lesson: Prepare your lesson on time.
132. Loath (unwilling): I am loath to accept his present.
Loathe (hate): Why do you loathe the poor?
133. Laudable (worthy or being praised): His speech is highly laudable.
Laudatory (full of praise): His laudatory lecture is worth quoting.
134. Luxurious (given to luxury): I hate luxurious life.
Luxuriant (rich in growth): The bamboo is very luxuriant in the spring season.
135. Lightning (sudden light from the cloud): There seems lightning and a hail storm may come soon.
Lightening (to make light): Thank you for lightening my room.
136. Licence (misuse of liberty): Who has allowed you to licence your responsibility?
License (permission to keep or sell a thing): The government has given us the license of a wine shop.
137. Limit (boundary): There is a limit of our comforts.
Limitation (shortcomings): Even a prophet has his limitations.
138. Main (chief): Ram is the main guide of our team.
Mane (long hair on the neck of a lion): The lion has a beautiful mane.
139. Maze (a wreath of lanes): There are many mazes in the city.
Maize (a kind of corn): Maize grows in Rajasthan.
Homonyms and Paronyms
140. Magnet: Magnet draws iron towards it.
Magnate (a big businessman): Dhirubhai Ambani was a magnate of India.
141. Mantle (cloak, loose coat): Mantle is the uniform of the Russians.
Mantel (a self over a fireplace): The tinsel was kept in the mantel.
142. Meddle (to interfere): I hate those who meddle with others.
Medal (a badge of honour): I had been given a medal for showing a glorious result.
143. Metal: Copper is a metal.
Mettle (courage): He bears mettle to face the enemy.
144. Meter (measure): I need 2.5-meter clothes to make my coat.
Metre (a measure in verse): In modern poetry, no metre is used.
145. Momentary (short-lived): The pride of life is momentary.
Momentous (of great importance): He came into a momentous decision.
146. Monetary (relating to money): He works hard for monetary purpose.
Monitory (giving advice): We acted upon the monitory advice of our principal.
147. Memorable (worth remembering): The arrival of the Prime Minister of India in our town is a memorable event for us.
Memorial (in memory of): Alfred Tennyson wrote some poems as memorials of his friend Arthur.
148. Marshal (military official): The chief Marshal of India was invited to the meeting.
Martial (relating to military): The Mongols are martial people.
149. Mead (meadow): We took a walk on the mead at noon.
Meed (reward): He was given a meed for showing good skill in dancing.
150. Minor (a person under the age of eighteen): No minor is allowed to view the cinema.
Miner (a worker in mine): The miners are in a strike for accommodation.
(Homonyms and Paronyms)
151. Moat (a ditch usually round a fort): The Red Fort is surrounded by a moat.
Mote (a particle): There are many motes of dust flying in the air.
152. Moral (pertaining to morality): He was a man of good moral character.
Morale (spirit; courage): The Soldiers showed good morale in the battle.
153. Naught (nothing): His efforts came into naught.
Nought (Zero): One and a nought makes ten.
154. Necessaries (things without which life is not possible): Food, clothes and shelter are our fundamental necessities.
Necessities ( urgent needs): The necessities of his problems need urgent solutions.
155. Negligent ( careless): Ramen is negligent of his duty.
Negligible (not of much value): His view is negligible in this regard.
156. Notable (worth noting): She delivered a notable lecture.
Noticeable (that which can be seen easily): There seems a noticeable improvement in his studies.
157. Oar (poles for rowing): An oar is a necessary thing in rowing.
Ore (raw metal): There is some ore of gold in the coal mines.
158. Observance (performance of some rites or ceremony): The observance of Durga Puja is being criticized as pompous.
Observation (that which is watched carefully): The observation of the moon was first done by the Greeks.
159. Ordnance (a place where weapons are manufactured): India has many ordanances these days.
Ordinance (an order by special authority): The court gave an ordinance to postpone the meeting.
160. Official ( connected to some official matter): It is an official deed.
Officious (interfering): We dislike him because of his officious nature.
161. Patrol (a party of soldiers or guards): A patrol of soldiers was sent to protect the fort.
Petrol (oil): Petrol is called liquid gold.
162. Principal (chief of an educational institute): The principal of our college is a man of few words.
Principle (rules): We have to follow some principles in life.
163. Pray (to worship): We pray in the temples.
Prey (victim): The deer often becomes the prey of the tiger.
Homonyms and Paronyms
164. Pour (to drop into): Pour the water into the bottle.
Pore (minute hole): In every pore of our body there is hair.
165. Practice ( attempt to bring some habit under control): Practice makes a man perfect.
Practise (verb): We should practise our lessons on time.
166. Persecute (to oppress): The Hindu rulers persecuted the foreigners in the middle ages.
Prosecute (to bring to a lawsuit against): He was prosecuted for cheating the customers.
167. Prescribe (to give direction): The doctor prescribed him to take the tablets every alternative day.
Proscribe (to prohibit the sale of some book): Walt Whitman’s “The Leaves of Grass” was proscribed in America.
168. Physic (medicine): The physic prescribed by the doctor was out of date.
Physique (bodily health): He bears a good physique.
169. Precede (to go before): pleasure precedes pain.
Proceed (to go on): proceed with your effort to win the game.
170. Pair (a group of two): A pair of pens were red which she purchased.
Pare (to cut): Pare your nails once a week.
(Homonyms and Paronyms)
171. Provident (wise): Raj is very provident in his own affairs.
Providential ( an act of God): His cure was providential.
172. Prophet ( a messenger of God): Hazrat Mohammad (peace be upon him) was a prophet.
Prophecy (noun-that which is foretold): Prophecy was generally made by the sophists in the middle ages.
Prophesy (verb – to foretell): Sankar prophesied that there would be drought.
173. President (one who presides): Devdas was the president of our club.
Precedent (previous example): I find no precedent of such a calamity is Indian history.
174. Quite (entirely): He is quite well nowadays.
Quiet (silence): Please keep quiet.
175. Rite (ceremony): We have to observe many rites during Bahag Bihu.
Wright (Playwright): Shakespeare was a playwright of the Elizabethan age.
176. Rest (repose): We take rest at night.
Wrest (to take away by force): Kamala wrested the book from me.
177. Reign (to rule): Muammar -al-Gaddafi enjoyed a reign of forty-two years.
Rein (bridle): Rein is used to keep a horse under control.
178. Route ( way): We reached there through a shortcut route.
Rout (completely defeated): The Pakistan armies were routed in 1972 in the hand of the Indian armies.
179. Raise (to lift up): He raised the proposal in the meeting.
Raze (to destroy): The fort was razed by the Mongols.
180. Regretful (full of sorrow): I am regretful for my wrongs.
Regrettable (that which causes sorrow): My past days were somewhat regrettable.
181. Reverend (worthy of respect): First my respect goes to your reverend grandfather and then to your mother.
Reverent (showing respect): His reverent speech comforts us.
182. Recover (to regain): Humayun recovered his realm with much difficulty.
Re-cover (to cover again): The child was re-covered with a blanket to protect from cold wind.
183. Seer (one who can foresee into the future): The Indian sages are said to be seers.
Sere (fade): The leaves of trees sere in winter.
184. Slight (trivial): We should not quarrel over slight things.
Sleight (clever act): The jugglers are skilled in sleight of hand.
185. Soar (to rise high): The eagle soars so high.
Sore ( to feel injured): He has been suffering from soreness on the knee.
186. Scene (a view): The scene was enjoyable.
Seen ( which we see): We have seen the Rang Ghar.
187. Sent (past form of the verb ‘send’): He has sent a message to me.
Scent (fragrance): The scent of a red rose is sweet.
188. Sooth (truth): In sooth, he must give away.
Soothe (to comfort): Who is there to soothe him in distress?
189. Story ( a tale): My grandmother told us a story yesterday.
Storey (of a building): He lives in the third storey.
190. Suit ( a set of clothes; a law case): (i) Father has given me a new suit. (ii) He must face suit in the law court in May.
Suite (a set of rooms in a building): There are seven suites in the building.
(Homonyms and Paronyms)
191. Stationary (motionless): The Earth was thought to be stationary.
Stationery ( writing materials): Rakesh has set up a stationery shop.
192. Straight (direct): Go straight and you will get at the post office.
Strait (narrow water passage): The isle falls in the strait between England and France.
193. Stimulant ( alcoholic drinks): Tea is a mild stimulant drink.
Stimulus ( that which inspires): Your encouragement acts upon me as a stimulus.
194. Spiritual ( pertaining to the soul): We should emphasize on the spiritual side of life.
Spirituous (having spirits): Wine is a highly spirituous drink.
195. Sculptor (a person who makes statues out of stone): Manorama is a great sculptor of our state.
Sculpture (A figure made out of stone): I have no weakness for sculptures made by ancient Indian sculptors.
196. Statute ( a law): The statute passed by the Parliament on Child Labour is criticised by some editors.
Statue ( a figure made out of stone): The statue was made out of stone by Nashibur Rahman.
197. Shade ( a place sheltered from the sun): We have planted some trees to get shade in summer.
Shadow (the dark spot cast by a body): Plato said, “ Light is the shadow of God.”
198. Sensual (one who is given to the pleasure of the body; lustful): There are some people whose outlooks towards life is sensual.
Sensuous (one who enjoys beauty through the senses): The English poet John Keats’ poems are mostly sensuous.
199. Sensible (wise; reasonable ): My friend Shusmita is a very sensible lady.
Sensitive ( easily moved or affected): Kamala is very sensitive to the misfortune of the poor.
200. Tale (a story): My grandfather told me a tale last night.
Tail (of an animal): Almost all animals have tails.
201. Tears ( drops of water from the eyes): Hearing the sad news his eyes filled with tears.
Tier ( row; line upon line): There were many tiers in the gallery.
202. Team (a group of workers or players): We belong to Rashi’s team.
Teem ( to be full of): The river seems to have teemed with fishes.
203. Tenor ( trend; purpose): I do not know the tenor of your activities.
Tenure (period of holding some office or property): The Prime Minister hold the office for a tenure of five years.
204. Trivial ( worthless; mean): His speech is proved to be trivial.
Trifling ( thing of small importance): They are quarrelling over trifling.
205. Transient (short-lived): Human life on the earth is transient.
Transitory (that which soon passes away): Earthly glory is transitory.
206. Temporary (of short duration): He is a temporary member of our club.
Temporal ( worldly): Socrates never desired for temporal glory.
207. Temperance ( moderation): We should maintain temperance in our food habit.
Temperament ( nature): Habib is a man of complex temperament.
208. Union (coming together of different things): Our Great India is a union of many states.
Unity ( oneness): It is said that unity is a strength.
209. Unqualified ( not having sufficient qualifications): Rasis is unqualified for the post.
Disqualified ( to degrade in qualification): Farhad was disqualified for taking unfair means in the interview.
210. Empire ( a kingdom): Akbar built a vast empire.
umpire ( arbitrator; referee): There are generally two umpires in a cricket match.
(Homonyms and Paronyms)
211. Vain ( conceited): his glory seems to be vain.
Vein ( blood vessel): We have some thousand veins in our body.
Vane ( weathercock): Vane is used to learn the direction of the wind.
212. Vale ( valley): We live in the Brahmaputra vale.
Veil : ( a covering for the face): All the Arabian ladies take veils.
Wail ( to weep): The old lady, hearing the news, begins to wail.
213. Verbal ( oral): He made a verbal protest.
Verbose ( having more words than necessary): The Elizabethan plays seem to be verbose.
214. Veracity ( to be truthful): I like Ram most because of his veracity.
Voracity ( greediness ): Your voracity makes you unpopular among your friends.
215. Wander ( to move about aimlessly): Last night I wasted my hours wandering here and there.
Wonder (to be surprised): He wonders at your odd dress.
216. Waste ( to lose for negligence): I do not like to waste my time.
Waist ( human limb): He was wounded on the waist.
217. Wait: I am waiting for his arrival.
Weight ( burden): I am unable to lift so much weight.
218. Weather: The weather is very hot today.
Whether ( if ): I do not know whether he will come or not.
219. Wet ( to be moist ): Do not wet the coat.
Whet (to sharpen ): He was asked to whet the knife.
220. Week (a period of seven days): Seven days make a week.
Weak ( not strong): He is too weak to walk.
221. Wave ( current of water): The wave of the ocean is very gigantic.
Waive ( to give up): We should waive our bad habits.
222. Womanly ( proper for a woman) Her dress is womanly.
Womanish ( having the weakness of a woman): Nowadays almost all young boys seem to be womanish.
223. Wreath ( garland): The grave was decorated with wreaths.
Wreathe ( to be full of; encircle): The spot was wreathed with flowers.
224. Whither ( to what place): Whither is Indian Science?
Wither ( to fade): The flowers have withered.
225. Yolk ( the yellow part of an egg): The yolk of an egg is a nutrient.
Yoke ( A frame put on the neck of an animal): The bull was put to the yoke.
226. Yearn ( to desire a thing): He yearns for a new car.
Yarn ( thread): They are yarning threads from cotton. 0 0 0
(Homonyms and Paronyms)
N.B. The article ‘Homonyms and Paronyms’ originally belongs to the book ‘School English Grammar Part- II‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
Books of Composition by M. Menonimus:
- Advertisement Writing
- Amplification Writing
- Note Making
- Paragraph Writing
- Notice Writing
- Passage Comprehension
- The Art of Poster Writing
- The Art of Letter Writing
- Report Writing
- Story Writing
- Substance Writing
- School Essays Part-I
- School Essays Part-II
- School English Grammar Part-I
- School English Grammar Part-II..
Books on Linguistics by M. Menonimus:
- A Brief History of the English Language
- Essays on Linguistics
- My Imageries
- Felicitous Expression: Some Examples
- Learners’ English Dictionary
Related Search:
- Home English Grammar
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- Grammar-English for Students
- Easy English Grammar
- Basic English Grammar Lessons
- A Beginner’s Guide to Basic English Grammar …
- English Idioms and Phrases
- Phrases
- Types of Phrases
- Types of Phrases in English
- Transformation of Sentences
- Transformation of Sentences-Learn English
- Transformation of Sentences Rules
- Synonyms: Find Similar Words
- Synonym: Definition
- Examples of Synonyms
- Difference Between Paronyms and Homonyms
- Paronyms and Homonyms
- All Important Paronyms and Homonyms
