a lot: many
alot: no such word (slang for "a lot")
allot: to distribute
ability: power to do something
capacity: facility to contain something
abjure: renounce
adjure: appeal
accede: to agree
exceed: to surpass
accent: vocal emphasis, to emphasize
ascent: vertical path upward
assent: agreement
accept: to receive, to regard as true
except: to exclude
acquire: to gain possession of
attain: to achieve a goal
obtain: to gain possession of
adherence: attachment
adherents: followers
adapt: to adjust
adept: skillful
adopt: to take or accept as one's own
addition: something added
edition: the total issue or number of copies
adverse: against
averse: disinclined
affect: as a verb-to influence, to change (usual usage)
as a noun-affectation-as in "His accent was an affect."
effect: as a noun-a result (usual usage)
as a verb-to bring about-as in "He will effect a recovery."
affectation: pretense
affection: fondness
affinity: connection to
infinity: limitless space, time, distance
aggravate: to worsen
irritate: to annoy, to cause discomfort
aisle: passageway
isle: land surrounded by water
all ready: entirely prepaired
already: reference to time
all: together in a group
altogether: completely
allay: to relieve
alley: a narrow passage
ally: a comrade, to join
allude: to refer indirectly to
elude: to evade
refer: to direct
allusion: an indirect reference
delusion: false reasoning
illusion: false vision
altar: a place of worship
alter: to change
amateur: a nonprofessional
novice: a beginner
amiable: goodnatured
amicable: peaceful
among: more than two
between: only two
amount: measured quantity
number: counted entities
anecdote: a brief story
antidote: a remedy
ante-: before or prior to
anti-: against or opposed to
anxious: worried
eager: ardent, impatiently expectant
apparent: obvious through deductive reasoning
evident: obvious through external signs
appraise: to evaluate
apprise: to inform
apprehend: to seize, to grasp
comprehend: to understand
apt: appropriate
liable: bound to occur, legally obligated
libel: written slander
likely: probable, probably
arrant: notorious
errand: a task
errant: wandering, roving
assay: to analyze
essay: a short literary composition, to attempt
assure: to remove doubt
ensure: to guarantee
insure: to protect
avocation: a hobby
vocation: a profession
bare: to uncover
bear: an animal, to carry, to endure
bazaar: a market
bizarre: strange
believe: convinced by reason
feel: convinced by emotion
berth: a sleeping or mooring place
birth: origin, beginning of existence
beside: next to
besides: also
biannual: twice a year
biennial: every other year
semiannual: twice a year
bi-: every other period (biweekly, bimonthly)
semi-: twice within the period (semiweekly, semimonthly)
billed: requested payment
build: construct
built: constructed
bloc: a group of people
block: a solid object, to impede
boar: a male swine
Boer: a Dutch South African colonist
boor: a rude person
bore: a dull person, a hole, to make a hole
born: given birth to
borne: carried or supported
bourn: a stream, a limit or goal (also bourne)
borough: a governmental unit
borrow: to receive temporarily
burro: a donkey
burrow: a hole, to dig
bouillon: soup
bullion: bulk precious metal
brake: a stopping device, a thicket
break: an interuption, a respite
breadth: width
breath: an inhalation or exhalation of air
breathe: to inhale and exhale air
calendar: a register of time
calender: a rolling machine
colander: a strainer
can: is able
may: is permitted
cannon: a big gun
canon: a law
canvas: cloth
canvass: to solicit, to survey
capital: the seat of government, investment money, an upper
case letter
capitol: a legislative building
carat: weight (four grains)(also karat)
caret: an editor's mark
carrot: a vegetable
casual: informal, by chance
causal: referring to the cause
ceiling: the interior upper surface of a room
sealing: closing tightly
censer: incense burner
censor: to criticize, to delete from publication
censure: to blame
cession: surrender of a title or right
session: a meeting
character: the whole of an actual personality
reputation: the external perception of a personality
chased: pursued
chaste: pure, virginal
choral: a hymn (also chorale)
corral: a pen for animals
chord: a combination of musical notes
cord: a string
cite: to refer to, to summon
sight: vision or view
site: location
climactic: refers to climax
climatic: refers to climate
close: near, to shut
clothes: wearing apparel
coarse: not fine
course: a route, part of a curriculum, a division of a meal
compare: to assess similarities and differences
contrast: to assess differences
complement: to add to, to improve
compliment: to praise
comprehensible: understandable
comprehensive: inclusive
confidant: trusted one, person in whom we confide
confidante: trusted one, female in whom we confide
confident: assured
conscience: sense of morality
conscious: awake
consul: an official
council: a conference, its members
counsel: an advisor, advice
contemptible: deserving of contempt
contemptuous: feeling of contempt
contend: to deal with, for, or against something
content: that which is contained within something
contiguous: adjoining, bordering
continual: occurring repeatedly
continuous: occurring ceaselessly
convince: to cause to believe
persuade: to cause to believe and act upon that belief
core: central part
corp: a group of people
corespondent: legal term
correspondent: a writer
coat: an apparrel item, a covering
cote: a place for doves or sheep
credible: acceptable, believable
creditable: praiseworthy
credulous: gullible
criteria: standards
criterion: a single standard
cymbal: a musical instrument
symbol: a token, a representative sign
decease: die
disease: sickness
decent: respectable
descent: vertical path downward
dissent: disagreement
dent: a concavity, a surface depression
dint: effort
deprecate: to express disapproval, to belittle
depreciate: to decline in value
desert: arid land, to abandon
dessert: a sweet food, a reward
device: an appliance
devise: to plan
die: to expire from life
dye: a coloring agent, to add color to
discreet: cautious or tactful
discrete: separate or distinct
disinterested: without selfinterest
uninterested: indifferent, lacking interest
disqualify: to judge unfit, to eliminate from
unqualified: unfit, lacking qualifications for
divers: several
diverse: different, distinct in kind
dual: two
duel: a fight
dying: expiring from life
dyeing: coloring
either: one or the other
neither: none
eligible: qualified
illegible: unreadable
ineligible: unqualified
legible: readable
elicit: to draw forth, to evoke
illicit: improper
emerge: to come out from
immerge: to go into
emigration: leaving
immigration: entering
eminent: of highest status
imminent: soon to occur
emulate: to equal, to excel
imitate: to mimic, to copy
envelop: to surround, to enclose
envelope: a covering
epigram: a witty statement
epitaph: a tribute to the dead
epithet: a descriptive name
equitable: fair, just
equable: steady, uniform
exalt: to praise
exult: to rejoice
exceedingly: to a great degree
excessively: to too great a degree
exceptional: unusual
exceptionable: objectionable
excerpt: a selection, to select
extract: a concentrated portion, to pull out forcibly, to
obtain
excite: to stir up emotionally
incite: to stir into action
expect: to believe a thing will happen
suspect: to doubt the truth of
extant: still existing
extent: the measure of, the limit
facetious: joking
factious: causing dissension
factitious: artificial
fictitious: imaginary
faint: not strong, to lose consciousness
feign: to give false appearance
feint: a diversionary tactic, to pretend
fair: a festival, not foul, light complexioned
fare: a toll, a toll payer, to get along
famous: celebrated
notable: remarkable
noteworthy: remarkable
noted: wellknown, distinguished by reputation
notorious: widely known in an unfavorable sense
farther: physical distance
further: in addition to
feat: an accomplishment
feet: leg endings
fete: a festival
fewer: smaller number
less: smaller quantity
flair: ability, distinctive manner
flare: a flame, to flame
flaunt: to make a showy display of
flout: to disparage, to show contempt
forbear: to refrain from
forebear: an ancestor, a predecessor
forceful: vigorous
forcible: by force or strength
foreword: a preface
forward: a direction
formally: in a formal way
formerly: at a previous time
fort: a fortified building
forte: an ability, a strong point
forth: forward
fourth: between third and fifth
funeral: a ceremony
funereal: sad, melancholy
gamble: to wager
gambol: to leap about playfully
genius: exceptional ability
genus: type
gibe: to scoff at, to mock
jibe: to change direction (nautical)
gild: to overlay with gold
guild: an association
gilt: overlaid with gold
guilt: culpability, the opposite of innocence
good: not bad, the opposite of evil
well: not ill, skillfully or correctly-as in "well
done."
gorilla: an ape
guerrilla: an irregular soldier
gourmand: a big eater, a glutton
gourmet: a connoisseur of foods
grisly: horrible
gristly: tough, tough and elastic
grizzly: grayhaired, a type of bear
guarantee: to secure, to ensure
guaranty: financial security or agreement
hail: frozen rain, to call aloud
hale: healthy
hair: a fibrous growth
hare: a rabbit-like rodent
hanged: a person is hanged
hung: an object is hung
healthful: contributing to good health
healthy: in good health
hear: to perceive sound
here: in this place
hoard: a cache
horde: a crowd
hole: a cavity
whole: entire
holey: having holes
holy: sacred
wholly: entirely
human: pertaining to homo sapiens
humane: benevolent, kind
idle: inactive
idol: an object of worship
idyll: a description of a peaceful country scene, or such a
scene
impassable: can not be passed
impassible: without feeling
impossible: can not be accomplished
imply: to suggest, to state indirectly
infer: to draw a conclusion
impostor: the person who commits a fraud
imposture: the fraud committed
incite: to provoke
insight: mental vision
incredible: unbelievable
incredulous: unbelieving
indict: to accuse
indite: to write, to compose
ingenious: talented, clever, original
ingenuous: innocent, unsophisticated
intelligent: quick to learn
smart: in fashion
invaluable: priceless
valuable: worth a high price
its: a possessive pronoun
it's: a contraction of "it is"
jealous: envious
zealous: diligent, devoted, vigorous
knight: a rank
night: the opposite of day
later: after a passage of time
latter: the last mentioned
laid: past tense of lay
lain: past participle of lie (to recline)
lane: a track, a path
lay: to place, past tense of lie (to recline)
lie: a false statement, to state falsely, to recline
lied: past tense of lie (to state falsely)
lye: a caustic chemical
leak: unintended exit of contents
leek: an edible plant
lean: free of fat, to incline
lien: a legal claim
leave: to depart from
let: to permit
lessee: lease holder
lessor: lease grantor
lessen: to make smaller
lesson: a unit of learning
levee: an embankment
levy: an imposition or assessment
lightening: decreasing in weight
lightning: an electrical discharge
like: a preposition (looks like rain)
as: an adverb or conjunction (dark as night)
loose: free, unrestrained, to set free
loosen: to let free
lose: to misplace
luxuriant: of abundant growth
luxurious: rich, splendid
majority: more than half
plurality: the largest part, but less than half
marital: concerning marriage
marshal: an official, to organize
martial: concerning the military
masterful: powerful, domineering
masterly: skillful
medal: a trophy, an award
meddle: to interfere
metal: a substance-such as gold, silver, steel, etc.
mettle: quality of a person's character
miner: a mine worker
minor: not of legal age, smaller, less important
moral: virtuous
morale: state of mind
motif: theme
motive: incentive
naval: pertaining to a navy
navel: a dent, a depression, site of the umbilical knot
nausea: illness
nauseated: feeling ill
nauseous: causing nausea
new: not old
novel: not common, a fictional work
number: things counted
quantity: amount measured
occultist: believes in dark forces, witchcraft, etc.
oculist: treats eyes
ophthalmologist: treats eyes
optician: makes eyeglasses
optometrist: checks vision
official: an authorized person, that which is authorized
officer: an elected or appointed person
officious: meddlesome
ordinance: a law
ordnance: military hardware
orient: east, to face or point toward something
occident: west
oscillate: to swing, to vibrate
osculate: to kiss
overdo: do to excess
overdue: past due
paid: past tense of "pay" (in the sense of a
payment)
payed out: past tense of "pay out" (a hose, cable,
line, etc.)
pain: discomfort
pane: a plate of glass
pair: two alike
pare: to cut away
pear: a fruit
palate: the roof of the mouth
palette: an artist's board
pallet: a bed, a skid
paramount: the highest of
tantamount: the same as
partially: not completely
partly: not all of something
passed: went beyond
past: ago, over
peace: serenity, absence of war
piece: a portion, a part
pedal: a foot lever
peddle: to sell
perpetrate: to commit
perpetuate: to preserve
persecute: to oppress, to harass
prosecute: to carry on, to pursue a course of action, to sue
in a court of law
personal: private
personnel: the staff of an organization
physic: a laxative
physical: material, pertaining to the body
physique: the appearance of the body
psychic: a seer, of the mind
plain: not fancy, simple
plane: a flat surface, a tool, an aircraft, to render flat
plaintiff: the suing party
plaintive: mournful
plait: a pleat or braid, to pleat or braid
plate: a flat dish, a metal sheet, to coat with metal
portion: part of a whole
potion: a drink
pray: to beseech
prey: hunted creature, to hunt
precede: to be in front of something
proceed: to go forward
prescribe: to order, to recommend a remedy
proscribe: to condemn
principal: first in rank or authority
principle: fundamental truth or law
prophecy: a prediction
prophesy: to predict
proposal: a point or offer to be accepted or rejected
proposition: a point to be discussed
quiet: silent
quit: stop doing
quite: entirely
rain: precipitation
reign: to rule, a period of rule
rein: to curb, that which curbs
rebound: to bounce back
redound: to have an effect upon
reek: to emit strong odor
wreak: to inflict punishment upon
respectfully: politely
respectively: each in its given order
resume: to take up where left off
résumé: summation
reverend: a clergyman
reverent: respectful
right: correct, a direction, a guaranteed due
rite: a ceremony
wright: a craftsman
write: to commit to letters
rang: past tense of ring (she rang the bell)
ring: a bell sound, a finger ornament, a circle, to encircle,
to
make a bell sound
ringed: wearing, decorated, or formed like a ring; encircled
rung: a ladder step, past participle of ring (the bell was
rung)
wring: to squeeze out
wrung: past tense of wring
role: the part acted
roll: a bakery good, a list, to rotate, to revolve
rout: to put to flight
route: a road, a way
salary: fixed pay for work on a recurring, long-term basis
wages: pay for work on a piece, hourly, daily, or weekly basis
satire: witty literary work
satyr: a lecherous man
seasonable: in keeping with the season, timely
seasonal: affected by the seasons, periodic
sensual: pertaining to grosser appetites (sex, food)
sensuous: pertaining to finer appetites (art, music)
set: to place
sit: to rest (as in a chair)
specie: coined money
species: type
staid: sedate, reserved
stayed: remained
stair: a step
stare: a fixed gaze, to gaze fixedly
stake: a post
steak: a cut of meat
stationary: immobile
stationery: writing material
statue: a sculpture
stature: height, status achieved
statute: a law
steal: to take without permission, to sneak
steel: to brace for adversity, a metal
stile: a step
style: mode, fashion
straight: not curved, direct
strait: a narrow passage, restricted, tight
suit: clothing, a grouping of things (cards, etc.), a
legal action, a romantic move, to please
suite: a grouping of things (musical pieces, rooms, etc.)
sweet; not sour
tare: a deducted weight, a weed
tear: to rip, water from the eye
tasteful: having good judgement
tasty: having good flavor
taught: imparted knowledge
taut: stretched tightly
temporal: mortal, not eternal
temporary: not permanent
tern: a bird
turn: to change direction, to revolve
their: possessive form of "they"
there: that place
they're: a contraction of "they are"
therefor: for this or for that thing
therefore: for this or for that reason
threw: hurled
though: notwithstanding
thorough: complete
through: in one end or side and out the other
to: a preposition (normally suggesting direction)
too: also
two: the number after one
tortuous: sinuous, winding
torturous: painful
urban: not rural
urbane: smoothmannered
vain: useless, selfadmiring
vane: a wind direction indicator
vein: a blood vessel, a body of ore
venal: corruptible
venial: excusable
vice: an evil practice
vise: a clamp
waist: a narrowing between wider portions
waste: superfluous matter, to wear away
wait: a delay, to delay
weight: heaviness
waive: the relinquishing of a claim or right (also waiver)
wave: an undulation, a hand sign
waver: to hesitate, to vacillate
want: a desire, to desire
wont: accustomed
won't: a contraction of "will not"
war: hostility between factions
wore: past tense of wear
ware: manufactured merchandise
wear: apparel, to have apparel on, erosion, to erode
where: in what place?
weather: climatic conditions
whether: pertaining to a choice
who's: contraction of "who is"
whose: possessive form of "who"
worm: an elongated animal
warm: not cold
yawl: a sailboat
yowl: to howl
yoke: a collar
yolk: an egg part
yore: long ago
you're: contraction of "you are"
your: possessive form of "you"