Homonyms Flashcards
Gate
Gait (n)
Gait (pronounced: /ɡeɪt/ / geyt / गेट) is a noun that refers to a person’s manner of walking or moving on foot.
- Medical Context: “The physical therapist assessed the patient’s gait to develop a rehabilitation plan.”
- Descriptive Context: “His confident gait made him stand out in the crowd.”
To remember “gait,” think of it as the unique way someone walks or moves, often used in descriptions or medical evaluations.
Think of “gait” as “get,” where the way someone “gets” from one place to another can be unique, emphasizing their manner of walking.
- Gait: A person’s manner of walking or moving on foot.
- Example Sentence: “The detective recognized the suspect by his distinctive gait.”
- Mnemonic: Think of “gait” as “get” – how someone “gets” around on foot, emphasizing their unique walking style.
Cruse
Cruse (n)
Cruse (pronounced: /kruːz/ / krooz / क्रूज़) is a noun that refers to a small container, typically made of clay, used for holding liquids such as oil or water.
- Historical Context: “The ancient artifact was identified as a cruse, used by the villagers to store olive oil.”
- Literary Context: “In the old tale, the widow had only a small cruse of oil to sustain her family.”
To remember “cruse,” think of it as a small, ancient container often found in historical or biblical contexts, used for holding liquids.
Think of “cruse” as “cruise,” where a “cruise” ship holds and carries people, similarly a “cruse” holds and carries liquids.
- Cruse: A small container, typically made of clay, used for holding liquids such as oil or water.
- Example Sentence: “She found an old cruse in the attic, still intact and holding traces of its original contents.”
- Mnemonic: Think of “cruse” as a “cruise” ship that carries people, similarly a cruse holds and carries liquids.
Scale
Scale (v)
Scale (pronounced: /skeɪl/ / skayl / स्केल) is a verb that refers to climbing up or over something, especially a steep incline or large obstacle.
- Adventure Context: “The climbers aimed to scale the towering mountain by the end of the week.”
- Figurative Context: “She had to scale many obstacles to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor.”
To remember “scale,” think of it as the act of climbing or surmounting something, whether it’s a physical object or a metaphorical challenge.
Think of “scale” as “climb the scale,” where you picture climbing up the rungs of a scale or ladder, emphasizing the act of ascending.
- Scale: To climb up or over something, especially a steep incline or large obstacle.
- Example Sentence: “The team worked together to scale the high wall during the obstacle course.”
- Mnemonic: Think of “scale” as “climb the scale,” visualizing the act of ascending or overcoming an obstacle.
Hoard
Hoard (v/n)
Hoard (pronounced: /hɔːrd/ / hord / होर्ड) is both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it means to accumulate and store away a large amount of something, often secretly. As a noun, it refers to a stockpile of items that have been accumulated, typically in secret.
- Verb Context: “She tends to hoard old magazines, filling her attic with stacks of them.”
- Noun Context: “He discovered a hoard of ancient coins buried in the garden.”
To remember “hoard,” think of it as gathering and hiding a large amount of something, often out of a sense of future need or scarcity.
Think of “hoard” as “hidden storage,” where “hoard” sounds like “horde,” suggesting a large group or collection, but hidden away.
- Hoard: (v) To accumulate and store away a large amount of something, often secretly. (n) A stockpile of items accumulated, typically in secret.
- Example Sentence: “People started to hoard essential supplies during the emergency, leading to shortages in stores.”
- Mnemonic: Think of “hoard” as “hidden storage,” emphasizing the act of gathering and secretly keeping a large amount of items.
Compliment vs complement
Compliment’ means to politely congratulate or praise and ‘complement’ means to enhance something. In the given sentence, the speaker is praising the new haircut, and it enhances the person’s personality. Hence, ‘compliment; complements’ is the most appropriate answer.
Wrest
Wrest (v)
Wrest (pronounced: /rest/ / rest / रेस्ट) is a verb that means to forcibly pull something from someone’s grasp or to take something with effort, often using a twisting motion.
- Physical Context: “He had to wrest the keys from her hand to prevent her from driving.”
- Figurative Context: “The citizens aimed to wrest control of the government from the corrupt officials.”
To remember “wrest,” think of it as forcefully pulling or twisting something away from someone, implying a struggle or effort.
Think of “wrest” as “wrestle,” where “wrestle” suggests a struggle involving pulling or twisting, helping you remember the forceful effort involved.
- Wrest: To forcibly pull something from someone’s grasp or to take something with effort, often using a twisting motion.
- Example Sentence: “She managed to wrest the remote control from her brother after a brief struggle.”
- Mnemonic: Think of “wrest” as “wrestle,” emphasizing the forceful effort and struggle to take something away.
Inapt
Inapt (adj)
Inapt (pronounced: /ɪˈnæpt/ / in-apt / इनैप्ट) is an adjective that means not suitable or appropriate in the circumstances; lacking skill or aptitude.
- Contextual Appropriateness: “His inapt comment during the meeting caused an awkward silence.”
- Skill Level: “She felt inapt at handling the new software, requiring additional training.”
To remember “inapt,” think of “in-“ meaning “not” and “apt” meaning “suitable” or “appropriate,” so “inapt” means not suitable or appropriate.
Think of “inapt” as “inappropriate” or “inept,” where “inapt” combines the sense of being not suitable (inappropriate) or lacking skill (inept).
- Inapt: Not suitable or appropriate in the circumstances; lacking skill or aptitude.
- Example Sentence: “The joke was inapt for the serious occasion, making everyone uncomfortable.”
- Mnemonic: Think of “inapt” as a blend of “inappropriate” and “inept,” emphasizing its meaning of being not suitable or lacking skill.
Inept
Inept (adj)
Inept (pronounced: /ɪˈnɛpt/ / in-ept / इनैप्ट) is an adjective that means lacking skill or ability; clumsy or incompetent in a particular task or situation.
- Skill Level: “His inept handling of the situation made the problem worse.”
- Workplace Context: “The new intern was so inept that she accidentally deleted important files.”
To remember “inept,” think of it as being the opposite of “adept,” where “adept” means skillful and proficient, and “inept” means lacking those qualities.
Think of “inept” as “in” + “apt,” where “in” suggests a negative and “apt” means suitable or skilled, so “inept” means not suitable or skilled.
- Inept: Lacking skill or ability; clumsy or incompetent in a particular task or situation.
- Example Sentence: “Her inept attempt at fixing the car only caused more damage.”
- Mnemonic: Think of “inept” as the opposite of “adept,” meaning lacking skill or competence.
Inept vs inapt
Inept’ means lacking skill or ability & ‘Inapt’ means not suitable or appropriate. The given sentence states that he was criticised for lacking skills of leadership and his casual body language seemed inappropriate for a leader. Hence, ‘inept; inapt’ is the most appropriate answer.
Raze
Raze (v)
Raze (pronounced: /reɪz/ / rayz / रेज़) is a verb that means to completely destroy a building, town, or other settlement, typically by demolishing it to the ground.
- Construction Context: “The old factory was razed to make way for a new shopping center.”
- Historical Context: “The invaders razed the village, leaving nothing but ruins behind.”
To remember “raze,” think of it as making something “rise” in reverse, completely leveling it to the ground.
Think of “raze” as “erase,” where you completely remove or destroy something as if erasing it from existence.
- Raze: To completely destroy a building, town, or other settlement, typically by demolishing it to the ground.
- Example Sentence: “The city decided to raze the abandoned stadium due to safety concerns.”
- Mnemonic: Think of “raze” as “erase,” emphasizing the complete destruction or leveling of something.
Vain
Vain (adj)
Vain (pronounced: /veɪn/ / vayn / वैन) is an adjective that has two primary meanings: having an excessively high opinion of one’s appearance, abilities, or worth; and producing no result or useless.
- Self-Importance Context: “She was so vain that she couldn’t walk past a mirror without admiring herself.”
- Futility Context: “His attempts to convince them were in vain; they had already made up their minds.”
To remember “vain,” think of vanity mirrors, which reflect someone’s self-importance, and the phrase “in vain,” which means efforts that produce no result.
Think of “vain” as “vanity” for self-importance, and “in vain” for something futile or useless, covering both primary meanings.
- Vain: Having an excessively high opinion of one’s appearance, abilities, or worth; producing no result or useless.
- Example Sentence: “Despite his vain efforts to stay dry, he was soaked by the rain.”
- Mnemonic: Think of “vain” as relating to “vanity” for self-importance, and “in vain” for futile or useless efforts.
Vain hope
The doctors gave him more powerful drugs in the vain hope that he might recover
Bosom
Swathi and Raghav are bosom friends.
Bosom (n)
Bosom (pronounced: /ˈbʊzəm/ / buh-zuhm / बोज़म) is a noun that refers to the chest or breast area of a human, often used to describe a place of deep affection, comfort, or intimate closeness.
- Physical Context: “She held the child close to her bosom, comforting him after the nightmare.”
- Figurative Context: “They were bosom friends, sharing all their secrets and dreams.”
To remember “bosom,” think of it as the part of the body near the heart, symbolizing deep affection, comfort, and intimate closeness.
Think of “bosom” as “b’close,” where “b” suggests “be” and “close” implies proximity and intimacy, highlighting the idea of affection and comfort.
- Bosom: The chest or breast area of a human; a place of deep affection, comfort, or intimate closeness.
- Example Sentence: “She confided all her worries to her bosom friend, trusting her completely.”
- Mnemonic: Think of “bosom” as “b’close,” emphasizing proximity and intimate affection.
Cease vs seize
Cease (v) vs. Seize (v)
Cease (pronounced: /siːs/ / sees / सीस) is a verb that means to bring to an end or stop something.
- Action Context: “The company decided to cease all operations due to financial losses.”
- Ongoing Context: “The noise did not cease until late into the night.”
To remember “cease,” think of it as the opposite of “continue,” implying stopping or bringing something to an end.
Think of “cease” as “stop with ease,” where “ease” implies bringing an end to something smoothly.
- Cease: To bring to an end or stop something.
- Example Sentence: “The factory will cease production next month.”
- Mnemonic: Think of “cease” as “stop with ease,” indicating the end of an action or process.
Seize (pronounced: /siːz/ / seez / सीज़) is a verb that means to take hold of something quickly and forcibly, or to take control of something suddenly and decisively.
- Physical Context: “The police were able to seize the stolen goods during the raid.”
- Opportunity Context: “She decided to seize the opportunity and apply for the job.”
To remember “seize,” think of it as taking or grabbing something with force or urgency.
Think of “seize” as “see and seize,” where “see” implies noticing something and “seize” implies taking it quickly.
- Seize: To take hold of something quickly and forcibly, or to take control of something suddenly and decisively.
- Example Sentence: “He tried to seize the ball from his opponent.”
- Mnemonic: Think of “seize” as “see and seize,” indicating the act of quickly taking or grabbing something.
Crick vs creak vs creek
Crick (pronounced: /krɪk/ / krik / क्रिक) is a noun that refers to a sharp pain or stiffness in the neck or back, usually caused by muscle strain. It can also be used as a verb to describe causing such a pain.
- Noun Context: “I woke up with a crick in my neck after sleeping in an awkward position.”
- Verb Context: “Don’t crick your neck by looking up at the ceiling for too long.”
To remember “crick,” think of a sharp, uncomfortable pain in the neck or back, often felt after awkward movements or positions.
Think of “crick” as a “quick” sharp pain in the neck or back.
- Crick (n): A sharp pain or stiffness in the neck or back.
- Example Sentence: “She had a crick in her neck from sitting at her desk all day.”
- Mnemonic: Think of “crick” as a “quick” sharp pain in the neck or back.
Creak (pronounced: /kriːk/ / kreek / क्रीक) is a noun that refers to a long, high-pitched sound made by something being moved or subjected to pressure, often associated with old doors or floors. It can also be used as a verb to describe making such a sound.
- Noun Context: “The creak of the old floorboards could be heard throughout the house.”
- Verb Context: “The door creaked loudly as it slowly opened.”
To remember “creak,” think of the sound made by old, unlubricated hinges or wooden floorboards when they are moved.
Think of “creak” as “creepy creak,” like the sound you hear in haunted houses.
- Creak (n): A long, high-pitched sound made by something being moved or subjected to pressure.
- Example Sentence: “The creak of the attic door made her heart race.”
- Mnemonic: Think of “creak” as a “creepy creak,” like the sound you hear in haunted houses.
Creek (pronounced: /kriːk/ / kreek / क्रीक) is a noun that refers to a small stream or a minor tributary of a river.
- Nature Context: “We went hiking along the creek and enjoyed the peaceful sound of the water.”
- Location Context: “The children loved to play by the creek near their grandparents’ house.”
To remember “creek,” think of a small stream or waterway, often found in the countryside or as a tributary to a larger river.
Think of “creek” as “stream trick,” where “creek” is a trickle of water flowing in a small stream.
- Creek (n): A small stream or minor tributary of a river.
- Example Sentence: “They followed the creek upstream to find its source.”
- Mnemonic: Think of “creek” as a “stream trick,” a small flow of water in a natural setting.
By understanding these definitions, you can distinguish between a sharp pain in your neck (crick), a noise made by something old and squeaky (creak), and a small stream of water (creek).
