wordki.pl - nauka słówek
Appendix 3 - Words Often Confused
evadeto avoid doing sth one is supposed to do or to avoid answering a question, often by deception
shirkto avoid work because of laziness
duckto avoid an object by a quick downards movement
dodgeto avoid an object by a quick sideways movement
swayto influence others' opinions so they turn from a given course
influenceto cause sb to think/act in a particular way
impressto produce a lasting, positive effect
affectto produce a reaction usu negative
realtrue as opposed to false
genuine(object) what it seems to be, (person) sincere and honest
naturalnot man-made
authenticwith known and proved origins
validsth which can be used and will be accepted by people in authority (a document, ticket)
wealthyhaving a lot of material possessions and money
affluentwealthy and able to spend a lot of money
well-off(informal) fairly wealthy
rich(of food) full of ingredients which may be difficult to digest
extravagant(object) sth that costs more money than you can afford or sth which is beyond what is reasonable
lavish(object) sth that is very elaborate and impressive and a lot of money has been spent on it
merchandise(formal) things for sale
waremanufactured goods of a particular type
commoditysth which is sold for profit, an article of trade
stockthe amount of goods a shop has available to sell
cure(tr) to successfully treat, to restore to health
remedy(tr) to put right, usu of situations
heal(tr/intr) to cure; to get better, improve
treat(tr) to give medical attention to
imitateto behave in exactly the same way as sb else
copyto produce sth that looks like the original thing
emulate(formal) to imitate sb because you admire them
faketo make sth seem genuine although actually false
slim(complimentary) not fat
slim chancesynonym to slight possibility
lean(complimentary) healthily thin, without fat (also of meat)
skinny(uncomplimentary) very thin
slender(complimentary) attractively thin, esp of women
moulderto decay slowly
rot(intr/tr) to (cause to) decay because of bacteria etc, esp of vegetation
waste(intr/tr) to grow weak and small; to use badly
decompose(intr/tr) to (cause to) go bad, esp of flesh
snarlto make an angry noise while showing the teeth, esp of dogs etc
howlto cry, esp of dogs; to cry with pain
bleatto cry, esp of sheep, goats etc
twitterto make a sound like a bird
(in/with) reference (to)(in an expression) used to indicate what sth relates to / in connection with
affinityrelationship, similarity or connection
relation(object) connection; (person) a member of one's family
connectionrelationship between two things, people or groups
slivera small thin piece or amount of sth
chipa small piece of sth
crumbsmall part of larger object, esp bread, cake etc
cubesquare-shaped piece of sth (wood, sugar, meat)
chopto cut sth into pieces with strong downward movements of a knife or an axe
shredto cut into thin strips
minceto cut with a machine into small pieces (meat)
grateto shred small pieces of sth (cheese, carrots) by rubbing against a rough surface
fadeto become less clear (with time)
vanishto disappear suddenly
disappearto be lost, to no longer be seen
paleto become lighter in colour
tossto throw into the air, esp of coins, pancakes etc
throwto launch through the air, esp using the hand and arm
castto throw, let fall (stones, shadow)
flingto throw sth using a lot of force
practiseto do an action repeatedly or do exercises regularly to gain skill (a musical instrument)
learnto obtain knowledge or a skill through studying or training
teachto give knowledge of a particular subject to someone
coachto train/teach esp for a specific purpose, examination or sport
instructto give knowledge or information to sb into a methodical manner
presentto give information to people in a formal way
familiarise (yourself with)to learn about sth and start to understand it
show (sb how to do it)to do sth yourself so that they can watch you and learn how to do it
entrustput sth/sb in the care of sb else
confideto tell sb sth in secret
consignto hand over/give up or send sth esp in trade
resignto give up a job
punchto hit with a clenched fist
slapto hit with the palm of one's hand
smackto hit with the palm of one's hand, esp a child as a punishment
whackto hit with a blow making a loud noise
striketo hit; used esp for emphasis and added emotion
smashto break sth into many pieces by hitting or dropping it
enhanceto make sth better; to add to the beauty of sth
aggravateto make sth worse
heightento become greater, more acute esp emotions
intensifyto become stronger, more intense
profitto gain, esp money
gainto obtain
earn (money, praise)receive sth in return for work that you do; get sth because you deserve it
exploit (sb/sth)treat sb unfairly; use sth in order to gain an advantage from it
commence(formal) to begin
instigateto start by urging or inciting
launchto cause sth to begin, esp an activity, campaign etc
provoke (a reaction)to cause a reaction
hinderto delay or prevent the progress of sth
blockto be in the way of sth/sb; to obstruct
barto obstruct esp intentionally
impedeto make sth difficult to do
obstructto be in the way of sb/sth
intervene(of events) to happen suddenly in a way that stops, delays, or prevents sth from happening
exude(a quality or feeling) to show that sb has it to a great extent
excludeto keep sb out from somewhere; to leave sb out from among the rest; ... sth not worth considering
expungeto get rid of sth completely because it causes problems or bad feelings
extricateto free yourself or another person from difficult, serious situation
goodsthings for sale
wares(old-fashioned) things for sales usu of a travelling salesman
commoditiesproducts exchanged in trade usu on an international basis
suppliesfood equipment and other essential things that people need, especiallywhenprovidedinlargequantities
rearto look after one's young until fully-grown
bring upto look after and educate until fully-grown
breedto keep animals for the purpose of producing young
growto become or cause to become bigger
nurture(a young child, or young plant) care for it while it is growing and developing
pinch(informal) steal an object
pilfersteal small amounts usu from your place of work
rip off(informal) steal from a person
swipesteal sth very quickly while sb is not looking
acquire(formal) to obtain for oneself; (a skill, habit, etc) develop/learn
abductto take away (a person) unlawfully, often by force
gather(information, evidence) to collect it especially after a period of time and after a lot of hard work
collectgather; get a large number of things because they interest you
deriveto get sth such as pleasure or benefit from a person or from an activity/situation
deduceto reach a conclusion because of other things that you know to be true
inhabitto live in a place or region
inhabitantperson who lives (permanently) in a region or town
dwell(formal) to live in a place
dwellerperson or animal that lives in an environment
settleto start living in a place permanently
settlerperson who has come to live in a (previously uninhabited or developing) country or area
resideto have one's home at in a place
residentperson who lives in a house, block of flats, area or country
take legal aidto take money given by the government or another organisation to people who cannot afford a lawyer
take legal actionan expression used to indicate that sb is willing to start proceedings over a matter; often a threat
try(usu passive) to examine in a court of law
bring to trialto take a criminal case to a court of law to be examined
take sb to courtused in a similar way to "take legal action" but as a more specific and direct legal threat
charge withto accuse of criminal act, esp by the police
summonto order officially sb to appear in court
restrainstop sb from doing what they intended or wanted to do; prevent oneself from showing an emotion
curbcontrol/keep sth within limits
checkto make sure that sth is correct or satisfactory
inhibitto prevent or slow down; to render sb unable to express what they really feel or do what they want
continuallyrepeatedly, regularly, frequently
continuouslywithout stopping
perpetuallylasting for a long indefinite time usu without interruption; continually
eternallyendlessly; often used metaphorically for emphasis
constantrepeated many times usu in a regular manner
incessantextending without interruption for an indefinite period of time; often used to express irritation
steadycontinuing in a regular manner
ongoingsth which began in the past and seems unlikely to stop in the near future
criticalof decisive importance
crucialvery important usu in determining sth or resolving a problem
essentialextremely important; necessary
vitalextremely necessary
significantof importance and meaning
graveimportant, pressing and usu worrying
fundamentalabsolutely necessary; important; essential
forbidto order sb not to do sth, not allow sth to be done
prohibitto forbid by law or rule
disallownot allow or accept sth officially, because it has not been done correctly
censorto examine officially letters or the media to remove any secret or offensive information
famousvery well known
conspicuouseasily seen; noticeable; attracting attention
remarkableworth speaking of; unusual
distinguishedmarked by excellent quality or deserved fame
eminentwell-known and respected, especially for being good at one's profession
elevatedvery important or of very high rank
prestigiousrespected and admired by people
noteworthyinteresting; remarkable; worthy of attention
ruinto damage sth so that it is useless
impairto make sth weaker or imperfect
injureto cause harm to a person/animal (broken limbs, wounds)
damageto destroy something in part, causing loss of value
harmto have a generally bad effect on sth, not necessarily a physical effect
scanto look at sth quickly, usu from top to bottom, looking for particular information
peer atto look at sth closely or with difficulty, due to poor eyesight or in darkness
scrutiniseto look closely and carefully at sth
inspectto examine sth thoroughly
glimpseto have a passing view of sb or sth
harass(formal) to continually and unfairly annoy and cause trouble to sb
pesterto annoy sb with repeated requests for sth
get on at(informal) to continually nag or tell sb to do sth
tease(usu of children) to laugh at or make fun of in an unkind way
chip(tr) to break a small wedge-shaped piece off the edge of an object
smash(tr/intr) to break violently and often deliberately into pieces
snap(tr/intr) to break suddenly esp with a sharp cracking noise
shatter(tr/intr) to break (usu glass or china) into hundreds or thousands of pieces
break offto come off or remove by force
crackto (cause to) break without dividing into separate parts
scatter(tr/intr) to throw many things randomly; (people) hurriedly and randomly disperse in all directions
disperse(tr/intr) to break up (group of ppl/thing) and move its component parts away in various directions
strew(tr) to drop things over a surface, esp in an untidy or careless manner
sprinkle(tr) to drop sth in fine quantities
staggerwalk very unsteadily, e.g. because you are ill
reelto move about in an unsteady way as if one is going to fall
totterto move in an unsteady way from side to side as if about to fall
stumbleput your foot down awkwardly while you are walking or running and nearly fall over
slideto move smoothly but unintentionally over a surface
glideto move smoothly and easily over a surface
slipto slide suddenly without intention
skidusu with vehicles on roads to mean to slide suddenly and uncontrollably while trying to stop
huddleto lie close to sb/sth in a confined space, usu for protection from adverse conditions
nestleto settle comfortably in a secure place
snuggle(esp up) to lie in comfort close to sb/sth
cuddleto hold firmly and lovingly in one's arms
tendto take great care of sb/sth (a garden, a wound)
attend (to)to be with and take care of sb/sth, usu in a professional capacity
grow (a plant)to put seeds or young plants in the ground and look after them as they develop
maintain(a building, a machine) to keep it in good condition by regularly checking n repairing whennecessary
betrayto be disloyal; to break a moral obligation (sb's trust, confidence ect)
divulgeto give away secret information, esp personal (a secret, a source etc)
revealto show sth, to make sth known
discloseto show sth that was previously concealed; to make sth known
shoveto move (sth) forward with a strong, usu careless, motion
toteto carry
pile (things)to form a pile gradually
thrust (sth or sb)push sth or sb quickly with a lot of force
heavepush, pull or lift sth using a lot of effort
stem fromto have as origin
begetto cause sth to happen or be created
generateto cause sth to begin and develop
commence(formal) to begin
chatto talk to each other in an informal and friendly way
chatterto talk quickly and continuously, usu about unimportant things
prattleto talk a great deal without saying anything important
babbleto talk in a confused or excited way
gossipto talk about other people's private affairs
borderdividing line between two countries
boundarydividing line between two private areas (farmes' fields, gardens)
vergepoint just before sth begins (a war)
brimpoint at which sth is full (.. of a bowl)
rimedge of sth circular
(out of) bounds(of) an area where you are not allowed to go
susceptible(to sth) likely to be affected by sth (negative)
liable(to do sth) likely to do sth specific (he's ... to be late tomorrow)
prone(to sth, often unexpected) likely to suffer from (... to accidents)
apt(to do sth) likely to do sth, behave in a way (... to be careless)
sensitive (to sth)likely to show understanding and awareness of other people's needs, problems or feelings
shoreland right on the edge of the sea
bankland on the edge of a river
coastarea next to the sea
beachseashore area with sand or stones usu where people go to sunbathe
seizeto take sth quickly, often with violence (... the bank's takings)
grabtake sth quickly, often with violence (children ... sweets)
grasphold sth firmly (to ... a child by the hand)
clutchhold sth tightly usu against one's body
taketo reach out for sth and hold it
sack(informal) to dismiss sb from their job due to their failure to carry out duties properly
make redundantto dismiss sb (usu large numbers) from their job(s) due to financial problems, orbecausenotnecessary
resignto give notice and leave a job
retireto leave a job at retirement age (usu 60 or 65 years) due to constant illness
troubledifficulty, worry, anxiety, annoyance etc.
causesth which produces an effect; a person, thing or event that makes sth happen
problema situation that is unsatisfactory and causes difficulties for people
disastersth which has a negative effect (harm, loss etc)
cataclysmviolent disaster on a larger scale (war, volcanic eruption etc)
calamitymisfortune or disaster usu on a smaller, more personal scale than a cataclysm
catastrophesudden disaster or misfortune
sectclosely bound religious group
breedtype of animal which is of pure race usu dogs, cats or horses
tribegroup of people of the same race living as a community esp in nomadic or primitive cultures
castegroup of people linked by rank, wealth, social position, usu in India (of a high/low social ...)
allysb who supports/helps another esp in a war
accomplicesb who helps another usu in crime or wrongdoing
acquaintanceperson who one knows but who is not a close friend
associatesb you are closely connected with, esp at work
feecharge asked by a professional for a service
stipendincome (esp of clergymen)
salaryfixed payment for work, made at regular intervals
wagesweekly payment for regular work
unveilto officially uncover sth; usu a statue
unpackto take sth out of a box or parcel
unwrapto take the paper off the outside usu of a present
revealto let out a secret or a scandal
put up withto tolerate sb or sth
affordto have enough money to buy sth
withstandto endure sth without being badly damaged or collapsing (... bad treatmen)
supportto have enough money to provide food, clothing etc for dependents (... a wife and children)
confirmto provide (usu written) evidence as to the correctness of sth
guaranteeto promise something will definitely happen
assureto tell sb with confidence
reassureto up sb's mind at rest when they are worried about sth
adventurous(positive) enthousiastic about doing new things or exploring new places
reckless(negative) liable to do dangerous things without considering the consequences (... driving, act)
imperviousnot being affected or influenced by someone's actions (... to criticism, suggestions)
foolhardyextremely risky
instinctiveresulting from instinct (an ... act; but not an ... person)
grindtedious, physical work
back to the grindreturn to work after a break
labourphysical work usus with the adjectives "physical" or "manual"
drudgerytedious, physical work usu unrewarding and of an unskilled nature (cleaning)
toiltiring physical work (usu used as a verb)
controlkeep sth within limits by force (... children / public spending)
stuntkeep sth/sb from growing properly (a ...ed plant, ...ed growth)
curblimit or control usu emotions (... temper)
tempermake sth less strong or extreme (... your voice)
rememberkeep a fact/event in one's long-term memory (... your childhood / to do sth)
recollect(no passive voice) bring sth to mind for a short period (... doing sth/sb's name/ face)
reminisceto think with fondness about past events
remindtell sb to do sth so that they don't forget
memorisecommit sth (usu a poem, grammar rule, etc) to memory (... facts and figures)
hard-up(informal) short of money (... students)
wealthypossessing a lot of money and material possessions
tight(informal derog) not willing to spend money
comfortable(informal) not poor but not wealthy
strut(often derog) to walk in a proud way, with even steps
scamper(esp of children and animals) to run quickly, usu playfully
slitherto move in a sliding way like a snake
slinkto move secretly and quietly esp when afraid or ashamed
diminish(tr/intr) to (make sth or sb) smaller quieter, less important etc
dwindle(intr) to gradually become smaller in number or amount
shrink(tr/intr) to become or make smaller in size due to water or heat
reduce(tr/intr) to make or become less in number, size, degree (... the volume, ... the price)
clothedwearing clothes
to be clad (in)(archaic) to be dressed in
wearingdressed in (sth)
to be dressedto be wearing sth usu for a particular occasion
retractto take back officially a statement or announcement
extractto take or pull sth from a place/remove sth; to obtain sth by using industrial or chemical processes
extractto select some information from a large amount or source of information
pull out(of troops) to withdraw from an area; (informal) to extract (a tooth)
renounceto officially give up a claim, rank or title; refuse to associate with or acknowledge sth/sb
stingto cause pain to sb where a sharp part of an animal or insect is pushed into one's skin
biteto wound with the teeth (dogs ...)
stabto wound by striking with a knife or dagger
prickto cause pain by piercing with a sharp point (pin...)
refusenot to agree to do sth
denyto say that one knows nothing about sth (deny all knowledge of sth)
rejectto turn down an offer, invitation
revokecancel or withdraw sth (... a licence, a law, a document)
accomplishto do sth successfully (... an aim)
attainto reach a particular level, usu with difficulty (... a mark of 100%)
gainto obtain (... power/weight)
reachto come to a particular point (... London)
manageto succeed in doing usu sth difficult or demanding
decline(formal) refuse usu an invitation or offer (to ... an invitation to a banquet)
renounceto officially give up a claim, rank or title; refuse to associate with or acknowledge sth/sb
denyto say that sth is not true
rejectto refuse sb's application or invitation
take (sb) aback(informal, usu passive) to surprise or mildly shock sb
astound(usu passive) surprise or shock sb usu in a negative way, so they are unable to think
amazesurprise sb (usu in a positive way)
surpriseto create a feeling caused by sth unexpected
grumbleto find fault continually and in an ineffective, bad-tempered way over trivial things; soundhungry
pesterto annoy sb esp with repeated requests for sth
whine(usu of children) to complain in an annoying way and in a high-pitched voice
complainto find fault, to make one's grievances known officially or unofficially
objectexpress your dislike or disapproval of sth
nagto keep asking sb to do sth they have not done yet or do not want to do
criticiseexpress one's disapproval of sb/sth and indicate what's wrong with them
scaman illegal trick usu aiming at getting money from people or avoiding paying tax
snarea trap intended usu to catch an animal (a rabbit-...)
gimmickunusual thing used in advertising to attract publicity
plota plan to do sth secretly (... against the enemy)