English is a tricky language, with plenty of words that seem to mean the same but have fundamental differences. It’s easy to confuse two words that sound alike, look alike, or are used in similar situations.
Using the wrong word can lead to confusion, even if the difference is small. Let’s look at a few word pairs that people often think are interchangeable but actually have different meanings.
Similar Words That Often Get Confused
Here are some words that people often use interchangeably, but are different. Note that the differences between these word pairs are more about their meaning rather than their spelling.
1. Graveyard/Cemetery
A graveyard and a cemetery are both places that mean “a burial ground.” However, a graveyard is a smaller piece of land, usually beside a church. The term is also associated with rural areas.
In contrast, a cemetery is a bigger plot of land that isn’t attached to a church. It’s also a relatively newer concept. As graveyards filled up, it became necessary to create newer, more efficient burial grounds.
2. Advice/Advise
Though only one letter separates these two words, they greatly differ in function. Advice with a c is a noun, meaning guidance or recommendation. Advise with an s is a verb, meaning to provide someone with advice.
3. Infertile/Sterile
Infertile and sterile are closely related in meaning but have different levels of intensity. An infertile person can still conceive, but will find it difficult to do so. A sterile person is completely unable to reproduce, regardless of any intervention.
4. Cement/Concrete
When people talk about “cement”, they usually (and incorrectly) mean concrete. Cement is a binding agent made from limestone and clay. It is merely one ingredient used to create concrete. Concrete is the building material you see being used in construction.
5. Autobiography/Memoir
An autobiography and a memoir share many characteristics. Both are nonfiction, autobiographical accounts written by the person themselves.
An autobiography typically covers a person’s entire life, from start to finish, and aims to present events as accurately as possible. In contrast, a memoir focuses on a specific period or theme in the author’s life, often reflecting on personal experiences with a more subjective, emotional lens.
6. Disinterested/Uninterested
Today, a disinterested person means they’re not biased, while an uninterested person means they don’t care. Interestingly, these two words’ meanings were the reverse when they were first introduced to the English language.
7. Continual/Continuous
Both words have to do with time, just in slightly different ways. Continual means something is happening again and again, with breaks in between. On the other hand, continuous means something goes on and on without ever ceasing or being interrupted.
8. May/Might
May and might both express a possibility. However, you typically use may in the present tense to indicate that something might happen or to ask for permission. Might is used in the past tense for hypothetical situations or past events.
Sometimes both words will make sense in one sentence, but it will affect its meaning.
She may come to the party. (It’s okay for her to attend.)
She might come to the party. (It’s possible, but less likely.)
9. College/University
A college and a university are places where people can seek higher education. The difference lies in the degrees they offer.
A college is typically smaller, offers undergraduate degrees, and sometimes emphasizes specific fields of study. For example, a liberal arts college will focus on subjects in the humanities, arts, natural sciences, and languages.
In contrast, a university is usually bigger and offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degrees. A university may have multiple colleges. They also tend to have more research opportunities.
10. Poison/Venom
Poison and venom are two kinds of toxins—substances that can kill or injure a living being. However, they differ in how they damage you.
A poison is a toxin that gets into your body through swallowing, inhaling, or absorption. A venom is a toxin that has evolved for a specific purpose and is injected into you through bites and stings.
So something is poisonous if you eat it and it makes you sick. It is venomous if it bites you and makes you sick. Sometimes an animal can be both, such as the tiger keelback, which is able to secrete toxins through its glands or its fangs.
11. Unique/Special
To be unique or special is to have a noteworthy quality of some kind. However, unique means being one of a kind, while special means being greater or somewhat different from what is usual.
12. Coffin/Casket
Though they are both made to contain a deceased person’s remains, a coffin and a casket are different.
A coffin is hexagonal, with the top being wider than the bottom, and has removable lids. Think of Dracula’s stereotypical bed. Caskets are rectangular, with hinged lids. A coffin also tends to be cheaper because its design uses fewer materials and needs less ornamentation.
13. Introverted/Shy
A shy person experiences discomfort in social settings due to a fear of being judged negatively. On the other hand, an introvert simply prefers solitary activities over social interaction. While someone can be both, not all shy people are introverts, and not all introverts are shy.
14. Altogether/All together
People mix these two up all the time. But just like advise and advice, they have different functions. Altogether means “completely” or “totally” while all together is a phrase that means “as a group.”
He owes me 200$ altogether.
Place the blocks all together before leaving the room.
15. Bemused/Amused
The two words aren’t synonyms. Bemused is to find something confusing, while amused is to find something entertaining.
I usually find his antics amusing, but now they bemuse me.
Close, but Not Identical
A lot of people interchange similar words because they’re “close enough” to get their meaning across. And that’s fine!
Let’s say you’re writing a story where zombies rise from their graves. Who cares if you use graveyard and cemetery interchangeably? They know what you mean and the words don’t affect the story at all.
However, you also can’t keep on using similar words just because they have close enough meanings. For example, not knowing the difference between poison and venom can result in an incorrect treatment response.
Lastly, since these words get interchanged a lot, many dictionaries have started acknowledging these usages. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, for example, has acknowledged that bemused can mean “to cause to have feelings of wry or tolerant amusement.”
Which other words do people often mix up? Share them below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- 15 Words English Borrowed from Other Languages
- Cognates: Words With Common Linguistic Ancestors
- 30 Real Words That Sound Made Up
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
