In this blog post, we’ll go over 100 pairs of words that are easily confused due to their similar pronunciations or spellings. By the end, you’ll be a pro at telling these words apart!
What do “allot” and “a lot” mean? How about “bare” and “bear”? They might seem like they have the same meaning at first, but there’s actually a big difference between them.
So let us find out 100 tricky confusing pair of word’s with their meanings and examples.
100 Pair Of Words A To Z
Allot – A lot:
Allot means to portion out or distribute
- The teacher allotting too much homework over the weekend.
A lot, on the other hand, means a large quantity or degree.
- I have a lot of friends in this town.
Bare – Bear:
Bare means to uncover or lay open
- The blizzard has bare the trees of all their leaves.
Bear means to carry or hold up
- The posters were bearing the weight of the tape.
To – Too – Two:
To is a preposition that means toward
- I’m going to the store.
Too means as well or excessively
- I want to go too!
Two is the number 2
- I have two siblings.
Your – You’re:
Your is a possessive pronoun that shows something belongs to you
Is this your pencil?
You’re is a contraction for “you are”
- You’re the best basketball coach I know.
Its – It’s:
Its is a possessive pronoun that shows something belongs to it
- The cat licked its paw.
It’s is a contraction for “it is” or “it has”
- It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.
Affect – Effect:
Affect means to influence
- The cold weather will affect my mood.
Effect means the result of an action
- The effect of the cold weather is that I’m grumpy.
Brake – Break:
Brake means to stop
- I’m going to brake for a coffee break.
Break means to fracture or destroy
- Please don’t break the vase.
Complement – Compliment:
Complement means to complete or go well with
- These shoes complement my dress perfectly.
Compliment means to praise
- Your new haircut is a compliment to your face.
Cite – Site – Sight:
Cite means to quote or reference
- Can you cite the source of your information?
Site refers to a location
- The new school will be built on the site of the old one.
Sight refers to vision or something that can be seen
- I caught sight of a bird out my window.
Advice – Advise:
Advice is a noun that means a suggestion
- I need some advice on what to wear to the wedding.
Advise is a verb that means to offer a suggestion
- I advise you to take an umbrella in case it rains.
Desert – Dessert:
Desert is a verb that means to abandon
- He was caught and tried for deserting his post.
Dessert is a sweet course or dish
- I can’t wait to eat dessert!
Lead – Led:
Lead is a verb that means to guide
- She will lead them through the process step by step.
Led is the past tense of “lead”
- He led them to safety.
Paste – Paste:
Paste is a verb that means to attach or apply
- Can you paste this poster onto the wall?
Paste is also a noun that refers to a sticky substance
- I used paste to attach the poster to the wall.
Principal – Principle:
Principal can be a noun or an adjective
- He is the principal of the school. (noun)
- This is our principal concern. (adjective)
Principle is a noun that means a rule or belief
- The principle of this company is to always put the customer first.
Stationary – Stationery:
Stationary means not moving
- The car was stationary for over an hour before it finally moved again.
Stationery refers to writing materials
- Please get me some stationery so I can write a letter.
Than – Then:
Than is a conjunction that is used for comparisons
- I would rather stay home than go out tonight.
Then can mean at that time or next
- I will finish my work and then go to bed.
Whether – Weather:
Whether is a conjunction that is used when introducing alternatives
- Whether you like it or not, you have to go to bed now.
Weather refers to the state of the atmosphere
- What’s the weather like today?
Pair of Words with Meaning
Affect: to have an influence on
Effect: the result of an action
Allot: to give or set aside a portion (of something)
A lot: a large quantity
Altogether: completely
All together: in a group
Appraise: to estimate the value or quality of
Apprise: to give notice to
Bare: without anything extra; unclothed
Bear: to carry or hold up
Blond: having yellowish-brown hair
Blonde: having pale yellowish-brown hair
Brake: to stop the motion of (something) by applying a brake
Break: to separate into pieces
Cache: a hidden supply or store
Cachet: a mark of distinction or excellence
Canvass: to solicit votes or opinions
Canvas: a heavy, closely woven fabric
Cite: to quote or refer to (something) as evidence or support
Site: the location of something
Compliment: an expression of praise or admiration
Complement: something that completes or makes perfect
Conscience: a person’s moral sense of right and wrong
Conscious: aware of one’s own existence, sensations, and thoughts
Continuous: happening without interruption
Continual: happening from time to time
Counsel: advice, especially that given formally
Council: a group of people who have been elected or appointed to work together on a particular issue
Desert: to leave (someone) alone, especially in a time of need
Dessert: a sweet course or dish, typically served at the end of a meal
Device: a gadget or machine that has a specific purpose
Devise: to invent or plan (something)
Discreet: having or showing good judgment in conduct and especially in speech
Discrete: consisting of distinct parts that are not connected
Disinterested: not having or showing a bias or self-interest
Uninterested: not interested
Elicit: to bring out or develop (something, such as a response)
Illicit: not allowed by law; illegal
Emigrant: a person who leaves one country to live in another
Immigrant: a person who comes to live in a new country
Emphasis: special importance or attention given to something
Emphasize: to give special importance or attention to something
Envelop: to enclose or surround (something)
Envelope: a flat paper container with a flap, used to send letters and documents through the mail
Farther: at or to a greater distance
Further: at or to a greater degree or extent
Flair: a special talent or skill
Flare: a sudden burst of bright light or intense heat
Flounder: to struggle clumsily in water or mud
Founder: to collapse or fail suddenly
Formal: following established conventions or rules; ceremonial
Former: preceding in time; earlier
Grisly: causing horror or repulsion; gruesome
Grizzly: having grayish-brown fur
Hanged: executed by suspension from a gallows or gibbet until dead
Hung: suspended from something, especially in a way that is not straight or level
Hoard: to accumulate and save (something) for future use
Horde: a large group of people, animals, or things
Immanent: existing within something; inherent
Eminent: having a high rank or position; illustrious
Incredible: too improbable to be believed
Credible: able to be believed; believable
Jaundice: a yellowish discoloration of the skin, whites of the eyes, etc., due to an increase in bile pigments in the blood
Jaundiced: having or showing a prejudiced and often hostile attitude
100 Pair of Words in a List
- Ate / Eight
- Bell / Belle
- Bread / Bred
- Cession / Session
- Coat / Cote
- Crews / Cruise
- Effected / Affected
- Flew / Flu / Flue
- Gourd / Gored
- Hoes / Hose
- Leased / Least
- Mote / Moat
- Patted / Padded
- Sighted / Cited / Sided
- Arrant / Errant
- Been / Bin
- Brayed / Braid
- Cents / Scents / Sense
- Coal / Cole
- Creak / Creek
- Educe / Adduce
- Fiancé / Fiancée
- Gofer / Gopher
- Hoard / Horde
- Lead / Led
- Moose / Mousse
- Passed / Past
- Sighed / Side
- Ayes / Eyes
- Billed / Build
- Bridal / Bridle
- Cheep / Cheap
- Colonel / Kernel
- Dear / Deer
- Errant / Arrant
- Flower / Flour
- Hall / Haul
- Humerus / Humorous
- Made / Maid
- / Misses
- Piece / Peace
- There’s / Theirs
- All Together / Altogether
- Bases / Basis
- Bore / Boar
- Caster / Castor
- Clamber / Clammer / Clamor
- Coup / Coo
- Dissent / Descent
- Faun / Fawn
- Gaff / Gaffe
- Heroin / Heroine
- Innocence / Innocents
- Missed / Mist
- New / Gnu / Knew
- Reek / Wreak
- All Ready / Already
- Based / Baste
- Border / Boarder
- Calendar / Calender
- Clack / Claque
- Council / Counsel
- Disperse / Disburse
- Fate / Fete
- Franc / Frankfur / Fir
- Heart / Hart
- Inn / In
- Missal / Missile
- Neigh / Nay
- Reed / Read
- Axel / Axle
- Better / Bettor
- Breech / Breach
- Chauffeur / Shofar
- Cokes / Coax
- Dam / Damn
- Eke / Eek
- Floe / Flow
- Hail / Hale
- Holed / Hold
- Leech / Leach
- Mousse / Moose
- Peak / Peek / Pique
- Steal / Steel
- Baa / Bah
- Bin / Been
- Broach / Brooch
- Chews / Choose
- Coolie / Coulee
- Defused / Diffused
- Eve / Eave
- Flu / Flue / Flew
- Halve / Have
- Hurts / Hertz
- Mail / Male
- Mucous / Mucus
- Pier / Peer
- They’re / Their / There
- Axes / Axis
- Bib / Bibb
- Brewed / Brood
- Cheap / Cheep
- Cole / Coal
- Dane / Deign
- Elicit / Illicit
- Flour / Flower
- Hair / Hare
- Hour / Our
- Liar / Lier / Lyre
- Mowed / Mode
- Peal / Peel
- Theirs / There’s
- Affect / Effect
- Balled / Bawled / Bald
- Bolder / Boulder
- Cache / Cash
- Chute / Shoot
- Corps / Core
- Diffused / Defused
- Fair / Fare
- Four / Fore / For
- He’ll / Heal / Heel
- Illusion / Allusion
- Mete / Meat / Meet
- Navel / Naval
- Read / Reed
- Your / You’re
- All Ways / Always
- Basil / Basal
- Bored / Board
- Cause / Caws
- Claque / Clack
- Course / Coarse
- Duct / Ducked
- Fax / Facts
- Gail / Gale
- Hertz / Hurts
- Knap / Nap
- Misses / Mrs.
- Nice / Gneiss
- Reel / Real
- Ax / Acts
- Berth / Birth
- Bred / Bread
- Chased / Chaste
- Coffers / Coughers
- Cruise / Crews
- Eight / Ate
- Flocks / Phlox
- Graft / Graphed
- Hole / Whole
- Lee / Lea
- Mourning / Morning
- Peace / Piece
- Steak / Stake
- Accept / Except
- Bald / Balled / Bawled
- Bizarre / Bazaar
- But / Butt
- Choose / Chews
- Cord / Cored / Chord
- Desert (Abandon) / Dessert
- Except / Accept
- Forth / Fourth
- Hay / Hey
- I’d / Eyed
- Meet / Mete / Meat
- Nap / Knap
- Pistil / Pistol
- Were / Whir
- Accede / Exceed
- Baited / Bated
- Bite / Byte / Bight
- Bussed / Bust
- Choir / Quire
- Coral / Choral
- Descent / Dissent
- Exceed / Accede
- Fort / Forte
- Hangar / Hanger
- I’ll / Aisle / Isle
- Medal / Metal / Mettle /
Meddle - Mustard / Mustered
- Pique / Peak / Peek
- We’ll / Wheel
- Adds / Adz / Ads
- Ball / Bawl
- Bloc / Block
- Byte / Bight / Bite
- Chord / Cord / Cored
- Cored / Chord / Cord
- Die / Dye
- Faint / Feint
- Foul / Fowl
- He’d / Heed
- Illicit / Elicit
- Metal / Mettle / Meddle /
Medal - Nave / Knave
- Read / Red
- Wether / Weather / Whether
- Bait / Bate
- Birth / Berth
- Bury / Berry
- Chile / Chilly / Chili
- Cops / Copse
- Dense / Dents
- Ewes / Yews / Use
- Foaled / Fold
- Handsome / Hansom
- I / Aye / Eye
- Maize / Maze
- Muscle / Mussel
- Pilate / Pilot
- Weight / Wait
- Apprise / Apprize
- Baste / Based
- Bouillon / Bullion
- Cell / Sell
- Climb / Clime
- Cozen / Cousin
- Dun / Done
- Fends / Fens
- Gel / Jell
- Higher / Hire
- Lain / Lane
- Moan / Mown
- Palate / Palette / Pallet
- Sear / Seer / Sere
- Ark / Arc
- Bawl / Ball
- Brake / Break
- Cent / Scent / Sent
- Clue / Clew
- Crawl / Kraal
- Edition / Addition
- Few / Phew
- Gnu / Knew / New
- Ho / Hoe
- Leach / Leech
- Mood / Mooed
- Parlay / Parley
- Seed / Cede
- Ant / Aunt
- Bask / Basque
- Borough / Burro / Burrow
- Cede / Seed
- Clew / Clue
- Cousin / Cozen
- Due / Dew / Do
- Feat / Feet
- Gale / Gail
- Hey / Hay
- Ladder / Latter
- Mist / Missed
- Pain / Pane
- Residence / Residents
- Aye / Eye / I
- Bight / Bite / Byte
- Brews / Bruise
- Check / Czech
- Collard / Collared
- Days / Daze
- Elude / Allude
- Flow / Floe
- Hale / Hail
- Hue / Hugh / Hew
- Madder / Matter
- Mown / Moan
- Pie / Pi
- There / They’re / Their
- Assistance / Assistants
- Beet / Beat
- Breach / Breech
- Ceres / Series
- Coarser / Courser
- Crewel / Cruel
- Effect / Affect
- Flea / Flee
- Gorilla / Guerilla
- Hoe / Ho
- Lean / Lien
- Morning / Mourning
- Patience / Patients
- Sight / Site / Cite
- Baal / Bail / Bale
- Bird / Burred
- Burro / Burrow / Borough
- Chic / Sheik
- Coop / Coupe
- Deign / Dane
- Ewe / You / Yew
- Flyer / Flier
- Handmade / Handmaid
- Hymn / Him
- Main / Mane / Maine
- Mule / Mewl
- Pigeon / Pidgin
- Weighs / Ways
- Ale / Ail
- Ariel / Aerial
- Base / Bass
- Bated / Baited
- Bootie / Booty
- Braise / Brays
- Cain / Cane
- Censor / Sensor
- Cited / Sided / Sighted
- Close / Clothes / Cloze
- Coulee / Coolie
- Crape / Crepe
- Discreet / Discrete
- Dyeing / Dying
- Fare / Fair
- Fete / Fate
- Fowl / Foul
- Gibe / Jibe
- Heard / Herd
- Hire / Higher
- Incite / Insight
- Lea / Lee
- Mints / Mince
- Mode / Mowed
- Need / Knead / Kneed
- Parish / Perish
- Red / Read
- See / Sea
- Ascent / Assent
- Beer / Bier
- Brays / Braise
- Cereal / Serial
- Coarse / Course
- Crepe / Crape
- Eek / Eke
- Flair / Flare
- Gored / Gourd
- Hoarse / Horse
- Leak / Leek
- Morn / Mourn
- Paste / Paced
- Sighs / Size
- Apatite / Appetite
- Bass / Base
- Bough / Bow
- Ceiling / Sealing
- Click / Clique
- Coward / Cowered
- Duel / Dual
- Feint / Faint
- Gamble / Gambol
- Hi / High
- Lade / Laid
- Mite / Might
- Pair / Pare / Pear
- Seam / Seem
- Affected / Effected
- Basal / Basil
- Bomb / Bombe / Balm
- Caddie / Caddy
- Cite / Sight / Site
- Coughers / Coffers
- Disburse / Disperse
- Fairy / Ferry
- Fourth / Forth
- Hear / Here
- Illusive / Allusive / Elusive
- Meteor / Meatier
- Nay / Neigh
- Real / Reel
- Arc / Ark
- Bate / Bait
- Braid / Brayed
- Cellar / Seller
- Clique / Click
- Craft / Kraft
- Dye / Die
- Ferry / Fairy
- Gene / Jean
- Him / Hymn
- Lays / Laze / Leis
- Moat / Mote
- Pale / Pail
- Seas / Sees / Seize
- Atom / Adam
- Berry / Bury
- Break / Brake
- Chance / Chants
- Coax / Cokes
- Cruel / Crewel
- Effects / Affects
- Flier / Flyer
- Grade / Grayed
- Hold / Holed
- Led / Lead
- Mourn / Morn
- Pea / Pee
- Stayed / Staid
- All / Awl
- Basis / Bases
- Born / Borne
- Cedar / Seeder
- Clause / Claws
- Courser / Coarser
- Ducts / Ducks
- Faze / Phase
- Gait / Gate
- Hew / Hue / Hugh
- Knave / Nave
- Missile / Missal
- Nice / Niece
- Reign / Rein / Rain
- Addition / Edition
- Bale / Baal / Bail
- Blew / Blue
- Buy / By / Bye
- Choral / Coral
- Core / Corps
- Dew / Do / Due
- Facts / Fax
- Forward / Foreword
- Hays / Haze
- Idle / Idol / Idyll
- Merry / Mary / Marry
- Naval / Navel
- Plum / Plumb
- Wet / Whet
