Exercise-5
Confusion Of Words
- Momentous (historic, important). I congratulate you on this momentous occasion.
Momentary (transient, short-lived). The joys of life are momentary.
- Naughty (mischievous). All his four sons are naughty.
Knotty (difficult). I am caught in a knotty problem.
- Odious (contemptible, hateful). I hate him. He has an odious personality.
Odorous (fragrant). The room is odorous because of the burning of incense.
- Official (concerning office or authority). I went to Delhi on an official visit.
Officious (intrusive, interfering). Our officious neighbour is always interfering in our family matters.
- Particular (special, precise). I want a particular kind of books.
Peculiar (odd). His behaviour is very peculiar.
- Personal (private). This house is my personal property.
Personnel (people employed in an office, firm, etc.). The personnel of this factory are well-trained.
- Physician (a doctor). He is ill. Call the physician.
Physicist (an expert in the subject of physics). Dr Kalam is a famous physicist.
- Popular (famous, liked by people). He is a popular leader.
Populous (having populated). Kolkata is a populous city.
- Practicable (possible). Your scheme is not practicable.
Practical (use fid, fit for action). He gave me practical suggestions about managing the family budget.
- Pray (to pray to God). I always pray in the morning.
Prey (victim). He fell a prey to police firing.
- Precede (to happen before). A dust storm preceded the rain.
Proceed (to go on). The enquiry is not proceeding well.
- Prescribe (advise or order the use of). The doctor has prescribed this medicine for me.
Proscribe (to prohibit). The doctors have prescribed the use of this drug.
- Principal (chief). Our Principal is a wise man.
Principle (law or rule of action). We should follow high principles in life.
- Prosecute (to initiate legal action against). Radhey Shyam was prosecuted for attacking his officer.
Persecute (to torture or make someone suffer). The Jews were persecuted by Hitler in Germany.
- Query (question). The minister answered the queries of the press reporters.
Quarry (prey). The hawk finally nabbed its quarry.
- Reign (rule). India made a lot of progress during the reign of King Vikramaditya.
Reins (bridle of a horse, etc.). A horse can be controlled by its reins.
- Reverend (deserving reverence). Mother Teresa was a revered figure.
Reverent (feeling or showing reverence). lie entered the church with a reverent heart.
- Review (critical evaluation). The editor published a review of my book.
Revue (a theatrical exhibition). I went to the theatre to watch a review.
- Sensible (reasonable, having common sense). Your action in this matter was not sensible.
Sensitive (easily affected or moved). She is a sensitive young lady.
- Sensual (carnal, relating to physical satisfaction). He passes most of his time running after sensual pleasures.
Sensuous (pertaining to the senses). The poetry of John Keats is highly sensuous.
Download the above Homophones List in PDF (Printable)