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All Rights Reserved. * * Licensed under the W3C SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENT NOTICE AND LICENSE. * * https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Legal/2015/copyright-software-and-document * */ (function() { 'use strict'; // Exit early if we're not running in a browser. if (typeof window !== 'object') { return; } // Exit early if all IntersectionObserver and IntersectionObserverEntry // features are natively supported. if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && 'IntersectionObserverEntry' in window && 'intersectionRatio' in window.IntersectionObserverEntry.prototype) { // Minimal polyfill for Edge 15's lack of `isIntersecting` // See: https://github.com/w3c/IntersectionObserver/issues/211 if (!('isIntersecting' in window.IntersectionObserverEntry.prototype)) { Object.defineProperty(window.IntersectionObserverEntry.prototype, 'isIntersecting', { get: function () { return this.intersectionRatio > 0; } }); } return; } /** * Returns the embedding frame element, if any. * @param {!Document} doc * @return {!Element} */ function getFrameElement(doc) { try { return doc.defaultView && doc.defaultView.frameElement || null; } catch (e) { // Ignore the error. return null; } } /** * A local reference to the root document. */ var document = (function(startDoc) { var doc = startDoc; var frame = getFrameElement(doc); while (frame) { doc = frame.ownerDocument; frame = getFrameElement(doc); } return doc; })(window.document); /** * An IntersectionObserver registry. This registry exists to hold a strong * reference to IntersectionObserver instances currently observing a target * element. Without this registry, instances without another reference may be * garbage collected. */ var registry = []; /** * The signal updater for cross-origin intersection. When not null, it means * that the polyfill is configured to work in a cross-origin mode. * @type {function(DOMRect|ClientRect, DOMRect|ClientRect)} */ var crossOriginUpdater = null; /** * The current cross-origin intersection. Only used in the cross-origin mode. * @type {DOMRect|ClientRect} */ var crossOriginRect = null; /** * Creates the global IntersectionObserverEntry constructor. * https://w3c.github.io/IntersectionObserver/#intersection-observer-entry * @param {Object} entry A dictionary of instance properties. * @constructor */ function IntersectionObserverEntry(entry) { this.time = entry.time; this.target = entry.target; this.rootBounds = ensureDOMRect(entry.rootBounds); this.boundingClientRect = ensureDOMRect(entry.boundingClientRect); this.intersectionRect = ensureDOMRect(entry.intersectionRect || getEmptyRect()); this.isIntersecting = !!entry.intersectionRect; // Calculates the intersection ratio. var targetRect = this.boundingClientRect; var targetArea = targetRect.width * targetRect.height; var intersectionRect = this.intersectionRect; var intersectionArea = intersectionRect.width * intersectionRect.height; // Sets intersection ratio. if (targetArea) { // Round the intersection ratio to avoid floating point math issues: // https://github.com/w3c/IntersectionObserver/issues/324 this.intersectionRatio = Number((intersectionArea / targetArea).toFixed(4)); } else { // If area is zero and is intersecting, sets to 1, otherwise to 0 this.intersectionRatio = this.isIntersecting ? 1 : 0; } } /** * Creates the global IntersectionObserver constructor. * https://w3c.github.io/IntersectionObserver/#intersection-observer-interface * @param {Function} callback The function to be invoked after intersection * changes have queued. The function is not invoked if the queue has * been emptied by calling the `takeRecords` method. * @param {Object=} opt_options Optional configuration options. * @constructor */ function IntersectionObserver(callback, opt_options) { var options = opt_options || {}; if (typeof callback != 'function') { throw new Error('callback must be a function'); } if ( options.root && options.root.nodeType != 1 && options.root.nodeType != 9 ) { throw new Error('root must be a Document or Element'); } // Binds and throttles `this._checkForIntersections`. this._checkForIntersections = throttle( this._checkForIntersections.bind(this), this.THROTTLE_TIMEOUT); // Private properties. this._callback = callback; this._observationTargets = []; this._queuedEntries = []; this._rootMarginValues = this._parseRootMargin(options.rootMargin); // Public properties. this.thresholds = this._initThresholds(options.threshold); this.root = options.root || null; this.rootMargin = this._rootMarginValues.map(function(margin) { return margin.value + margin.unit; }).join(' '); /** @private @const {!Array<!Document>} */ this._monitoringDocuments = []; /** @private @const {!Array<function()>} */ this._monitoringUnsubscribes = []; } /** * The minimum interval within which the document will be checked for * intersection changes. */ IntersectionObserver.prototype.THROTTLE_TIMEOUT = 100; /** * The frequency in which the polyfill polls for intersection changes. * this can be updated on a per instance basis and must be set prior to * calling `observe` on the first target. */ IntersectionObserver.prototype.POLL_INTERVAL = null; /** * Use a mutation observer on the root element * to detect intersection changes. */ IntersectionObserver.prototype.USE_MUTATION_OBSERVER = true; /** * Sets up the polyfill in the cross-origin mode. The result is the * updater function that accepts two arguments: `boundingClientRect` and * `intersectionRect` - just as these fields would be available to the * parent via `IntersectionObserverEntry`. This function should be called * each time the iframe receives intersection information from the parent * window, e.g. via messaging. * @return {function(DOMRect|ClientRect, DOMRect|ClientRect)} */ IntersectionObserver._setupCrossOriginUpdater = function() { if (!crossOriginUpdater) { /** * @param {DOMRect|ClientRect} boundingClientRect * @param {DOMRect|ClientRect} intersectionRect */ crossOriginUpdater = function(boundingClientRect, intersectionRect) { if (!boundingClientRect || !intersectionRect) { crossOriginRect = getEmptyRect(); } else { crossOriginRect = convertFromParentRect(boundingClientRect, intersectionRect); } registry.forEach(function(observer) { observer._checkForIntersections(); }); }; } return crossOriginUpdater; }; /** * Resets the cross-origin mode. */ IntersectionObserver._resetCrossOriginUpdater = function() { crossOriginUpdater = null; crossOriginRect = null; }; /** * Starts observing a target element for intersection changes based on * the thresholds values. * @param {Element} target The DOM element to observe. */ IntersectionObserver.prototype.observe = function(target) { var isTargetAlreadyObserved = this._observationTargets.some(function(item) { return item.element == target; }); if (isTargetAlreadyObserved) { return; } if (!(target && target.nodeType == 1)) { throw new Error('target must be an Element'); } this._registerInstance(); this._observationTargets.push({element: target, entry: null}); this._monitorIntersections(target.ownerDocument); this._checkForIntersections(); }; /** * Stops observing a target element for intersection changes. * @param {Element} target The DOM element to observe. */ IntersectionObserver.prototype.unobserve = function(target) { this._observationTargets = this._observationTargets.filter(function(item) { return item.element != target; }); this._unmonitorIntersections(target.ownerDocument); if (this._observationTargets.length == 0) { this._unregisterInstance(); } }; /** * Stops observing all target elements for intersection changes. */ IntersectionObserver.prototype.disconnect = function() { this._observationTargets = []; this._unmonitorAllIntersections(); this._unregisterInstance(); }; /** * Returns any queue entries that have not yet been reported to the * callback and clears the queue. This can be used in conjunction with the * callback to obtain the absolute most up-to-date intersection information. * @return {Array} The currently queued entries. */ IntersectionObserver.prototype.takeRecords = function() { var records = this._queuedEntries.slice(); this._queuedEntries = []; return records; }; /** * Accepts the threshold value from the user configuration object and * returns a sorted array of unique threshold values. If a value is not * between 0 and 1 and error is thrown. * @private * @param {Array|number=} opt_threshold An optional threshold value or * a list of threshold values, defaulting to [0]. * @return {Array} A sorted list of unique and valid threshold values. */ IntersectionObserver.prototype._initThresholds = function(opt_threshold) { var threshold = opt_threshold || [0]; if (!Array.isArray(threshold)) threshold = [threshold]; return threshold.sort().filter(function(t, i, a) { if (typeof t != 'number' || isNaN(t) || t < 0 || t > 1) { throw new Error('threshold must be a number between 0 and 1 inclusively'); } return t !== a[i - 1]; }); }; /** * Accepts the rootMargin value from the user configuration object * and returns an array of the four margin values as an object containing * the value and unit properties. If any of the values are not properly * formatted or use a unit other than px or %, and error is thrown. * @private * @param {string=} opt_rootMargin An optional rootMargin value, * defaulting to '0px'. * @return {Array<Object>} An array of margin objects with the keys * value and unit. */ IntersectionObserver.prototype._parseRootMargin = function(opt_rootMargin) { var marginString = opt_rootMargin || '0px'; var margins = marginString.split(/\s+/).map(function(margin) { var parts = /^(-?\d*\.?\d+)(px|%)$/.exec(margin); if (!parts) { throw new Error('rootMargin must be specified in pixels or percent'); } return {value: parseFloat(parts[1]), unit: parts[2]}; }); // Handles shorthand. margins[1] = margins[1] || margins[0]; margins[2] = margins[2] || margins[0]; margins[3] = margins[3] || margins[1]; return margins; }; /** * Starts polling for intersection changes if the polling is not already * happening, and if the page's visibility state is visible. * @param {!Document} doc * @private */ IntersectionObserver.prototype._monitorIntersections = function(doc) { var win = doc.defaultView; if (!win) { // Already destroyed. return; } if (this._monitoringDocuments.indexOf(doc) != -1) { // Already monitoring. return; } // Private state for monitoring. var callback = this._checkForIntersections; var monitoringInterval = null; var domObserver = null; // If a poll interval is set, use polling instead of listening to // resize and scroll events or DOM mutations. if (this.POLL_INTERVAL) { monitoringInterval = win.setInterval(callback, this.POLL_INTERVAL); } else { addEvent(win, 'resize', callback, true); addEvent(doc, 'scroll', callback, true); if (this.USE_MUTATION_OBSERVER && 'MutationObserver' in win) { domObserver = new win.MutationObserver(callback); domObserver.observe(doc, { attributes: true, childList: true, characterData: true, subtree: true }); } } this._monitoringDocuments.push(doc); this._monitoringUnsubscribes.push(function() { // Get the window object again. When a friendly iframe is destroyed, it // will be null. var win = doc.defaultView; if (win) { if (monitoringInterval) { win.clearInterval(monitoringInterval); } removeEvent(win, 'resize', callback, true); } removeEvent(doc, 'scroll', callback, true); if (domObserver) { domObserver.disconnect(); } }); // Also monitor the parent. var rootDoc = (this.root && (this.root.ownerDocument || this.root)) || document; if (doc != rootDoc) { var frame = getFrameElement(doc); if (frame) { this._monitorIntersections(frame.ownerDocument); } } }; /** * Stops polling for intersection changes. * @param {!Document} doc * @private */ IntersectionObserver.prototype._unmonitorIntersections = function(doc) { var index = this._monitoringDocuments.indexOf(doc); if (index == -1) { return; } var rootDoc = (this.root && (this.root.ownerDocument || this.root)) || document; // Check if any dependent targets are still remaining. var hasDependentTargets = this._observationTargets.some(function(item) { var itemDoc = item.element.ownerDocument; // Target is in this context. if (itemDoc == doc) { return true; } // Target is nested in this context. while (itemDoc && itemDoc != rootDoc) { var frame = getFrameElement(itemDoc); itemDoc = frame && frame.ownerDocument; if (itemDoc == doc) { return true; } } return false; }); if (hasDependentTargets) { return; } // Unsubscribe. var unsubscribe = this._monitoringUnsubscribes[index]; this._monitoringDocuments.splice(index, 1); this._monitoringUnsubscribes.splice(index, 1); unsubscribe(); // Also unmonitor the parent. if (doc != rootDoc) { var frame = getFrameElement(doc); if (frame) { this._unmonitorIntersections(frame.ownerDocument); } } }; /** * Stops polling for intersection changes. * @param {!Document} doc * @private */ IntersectionObserver.prototype._unmonitorAllIntersections = function() { var unsubscribes = this._monitoringUnsubscribes.slice(0); this._monitoringDocuments.length = 0; this._monitoringUnsubscribes.length = 0; for (var i = 0; i < unsubscribes.length; i++) { unsubscribes[i](); } }; /** * Scans each observation target for intersection changes and adds them * to the internal entries queue. If new entries are found, it * schedules the callback to be invoked. * @private */ IntersectionObserver.prototype._checkForIntersections = function() { if (!this.root && crossOriginUpdater && !crossOriginRect) { // Cross origin monitoring, but no initial data available yet. return; } var rootIsInDom = this._rootIsInDom(); var rootRect = rootIsInDom ? this._getRootRect() : getEmptyRect(); this._observationTargets.forEach(function(item) { var target = item.element; var targetRect = getBoundingClientRect(target); var rootContainsTarget = this._rootContainsTarget(target); var oldEntry = item.entry; var intersectionRect = rootIsInDom && rootContainsTarget && this._computeTargetAndRootIntersection(target, targetRect, rootRect); var rootBounds = null; if (!this._rootContainsTarget(target)) { rootBounds = getEmptyRect(); } else if (!crossOriginUpdater || this.root) { rootBounds = rootRect; } var newEntry = item.entry = new IntersectionObserverEntry({ time: now(), target: target, boundingClientRect: targetRect, rootBounds: rootBounds, intersectionRect: intersectionRect }); if (!oldEntry) { this._queuedEntries.push(newEntry); } else if (rootIsInDom && rootContainsTarget) { // If the new entry intersection ratio has crossed any of the // thresholds, add a new entry. if (this._hasCrossedThreshold(oldEntry, newEntry)) { this._queuedEntries.push(newEntry); } } else { // If the root is not in the DOM or target is not contained within // root but the previous entry for this target had an intersection, // add a new record indicating removal. if (oldEntry && oldEntry.isIntersecting) { this._queuedEntries.push(newEntry); } } }, this); if (this._queuedEntries.length) { this._callback(this.takeRecords(), this); } }; /** * Accepts a target and root rect computes the intersection between then * following the algorithm in the spec. * TODO(philipwalton): at this time clip-path is not considered. * https://w3c.github.io/IntersectionObserver/#calculate-intersection-rect-algo * @param {Element} target The target DOM element * @param {Object} targetRect The bounding rect of the target. * @param {Object} rootRect The bounding rect of the root after being * expanded by the rootMargin value. * @return {?Object} The final intersection rect object or undefined if no * intersection is found. * @private */ IntersectionObserver.prototype._computeTargetAndRootIntersection = function(target, targetRect, rootRect) { // If the element isn't displayed, an intersection can't happen. if (window.getComputedStyle(target).display == 'none') return; var intersectionRect = targetRect; var parent = getParentNode(target); var atRoot = false; while (!atRoot && parent) { var parentRect = null; var parentComputedStyle = parent.nodeType == 1 ? window.getComputedStyle(parent) : {}; // If the parent isn't displayed, an intersection can't happen. if (parentComputedStyle.display == 'none') return null; if (parent == this.root || parent.nodeType == /* DOCUMENT */ 9) { atRoot = true; if (parent == this.root || parent == document) { if (crossOriginUpdater && !this.root) { if (!crossOriginRect || crossOriginRect.width == 0 && crossOriginRect.height == 0) { // A 0-size cross-origin intersection means no-intersection. parent = null; parentRect = null; intersectionRect = null; } else { parentRect = crossOriginRect; } } else { parentRect = rootRect; } } else { // Check if there's a frame that can be navigated to. var frame = getParentNode(parent); var frameRect = frame && getBoundingClientRect(frame); var frameIntersect = frame && this._computeTargetAndRootIntersection(frame, frameRect, rootRect); if (frameRect && frameIntersect) { parent = frame; parentRect = convertFromParentRect(frameRect, frameIntersect); } else { parent = null; intersectionRect = null; } } } else { // If the element has a non-visible overflow, and it's not the <body> // or <html> element, update the intersection rect. // Note: <body> and <html> cannot be clipped to a rect that's not also // the document rect, so no need to compute a new intersection. var doc = parent.ownerDocument; if (parent != doc.body && parent != doc.documentElement && parentComputedStyle.overflow != 'visible') { parentRect = getBoundingClientRect(parent); } } // If either of the above conditionals set a new parentRect, // calculate new intersection data. if (parentRect) { intersectionRect = computeRectIntersection(parentRect, intersectionRect); } if (!intersectionRect) break; parent = parent && getParentNode(parent); } return intersectionRect; }; /** * Returns the root rect after being expanded by the rootMargin value. * @return {ClientRect} The expanded root rect. * @private */ IntersectionObserver.prototype._getRootRect = function() { var rootRect; if (this.root && !isDoc(this.root)) { rootRect = getBoundingClientRect(this.root); } else { // Use <html>/<body> instead of window since scroll bars affect size. var doc = isDoc(this.root) ? this.root : document; var html = doc.documentElement; var body = doc.body; rootRect = { top: 0, left: 0, right: html.clientWidth || body.clientWidth, width: html.clientWidth || body.clientWidth, bottom: html.clientHeight || body.clientHeight, height: html.clientHeight || body.clientHeight }; } return this._expandRectByRootMargin(rootRect); }; /** * Accepts a rect and expands it by the rootMargin value. * @param {DOMRect|ClientRect} rect The rect object to expand. * @return {ClientRect} The expanded rect. * @private */ IntersectionObserver.prototype._expandRectByRootMargin = function(rect) { var margins = this._rootMarginValues.map(function(margin, i) { return margin.unit == 'px' ? margin.value : margin.value * (i % 2 ? rect.width : rect.height) / 100; }); var newRect = { top: rect.top - margins[0], right: rect.right + margins[1], bottom: rect.bottom + margins[2], left: rect.left - margins[3] }; newRect.width = newRect.right - newRect.left; newRect.height = newRect.bottom - newRect.top; return newRect; }; /** * Accepts an old and new entry and returns true if at least one of the * threshold values has been crossed. * @param {?IntersectionObserverEntry} oldEntry The previous entry for a * particular target element or null if no previous entry exists. * @param {IntersectionObserverEntry} newEntry The current entry for a * particular target element. * @return {boolean} Returns true if a any threshold has been crossed. * @private */ IntersectionObserver.prototype._hasCrossedThreshold = function(oldEntry, newEntry) { // To make comparing easier, an entry that has a ratio of 0 // but does not actually intersect is given a value of -1 var oldRatio = oldEntry && oldEntry.isIntersecting ? oldEntry.intersectionRatio || 0 : -1; var newRatio = newEntry.isIntersecting ? newEntry.intersectionRatio || 0 : -1; // Ignore unchanged ratios if (oldRatio === newRatio) return; for (var i = 0; i < this.thresholds.length; i++) { var threshold = this.thresholds[i]; // Return true if an entry matches a threshold or if the new ratio // and the old ratio are on the opposite sides of a threshold. if (threshold == oldRatio || threshold == newRatio || threshold < oldRatio !== threshold < newRatio) { return true; } } }; /** * Returns whether or not the root element is an element and is in the DOM. * @return {boolean} True if the root element is an element and is in the DOM. * @private */ IntersectionObserver.prototype._rootIsInDom = function() { return !this.root || containsDeep(document, this.root); }; /** * Returns whether or not the target element is a child of root. * @param {Element} target The target element to check. * @return {boolean} True if the target element is a child of root. * @private */ IntersectionObserver.prototype._rootContainsTarget = function(target) { var rootDoc = (this.root && (this.root.ownerDocument || this.root)) || document; return ( containsDeep(rootDoc, target) && (!this.root || rootDoc == target.ownerDocument) ); }; /** * Adds the instance to the global IntersectionObserver registry if it isn't * already present. * @private */ IntersectionObserver.prototype._registerInstance = function() { if (registry.indexOf(this) < 0) { registry.push(this); } }; /** * Removes the instance from the global IntersectionObserver registry. * @private */ IntersectionObserver.prototype._unregisterInstance = function() { var index = registry.indexOf(this); if (index != -1) registry.splice(index, 1); }; /** * Returns the result of the performance.now() method or null in browsers * that don't support the API. * @return {number} The elapsed time since the page was requested. */ function now() { return window.performance && performance.now && performance.now(); } /** * Throttles a function and delays its execution, so it's only called at most * once within a given time period. * @param {Function} fn The function to throttle. * @param {number} timeout The amount of time that must pass before the * function can be called again. * @return {Function} The throttled function. */ function throttle(fn, timeout) { var timer = null; return function () { if (!timer) { timer = setTimeout(function() { fn(); timer = null; }, timeout); } }; } /** * Adds an event handler to a DOM node ensuring cross-browser compatibility. * @param {Node} node The DOM node to add the event handler to. * @param {string} event The event name. * @param {Function} fn The event handler to add. * @param {boolean} opt_useCapture Optionally adds the even to the capture * phase. Note: this only works in modern browsers. */ function addEvent(node, event, fn, opt_useCapture) { if (typeof node.addEventListener == 'function') { node.addEventListener(event, fn, opt_useCapture || false); } else if (typeof node.attachEvent == 'function') { node.attachEvent('on' + event, fn); } } /** * Removes a previously added event handler from a DOM node. * @param {Node} node The DOM node to remove the event handler from. * @param {string} event The event name. * @param {Function} fn The event handler to remove. * @param {boolean} opt_useCapture If the event handler was added with this * flag set to true, it should be set to true here in order to remove it. */ function removeEvent(node, event, fn, opt_useCapture) { if (typeof node.removeEventListener == 'function') { node.removeEventListener(event, fn, opt_useCapture || false); } else if (typeof node.detatchEvent == 'function') { node.detatchEvent('on' + event, fn); } } /** * Returns the intersection between two rect objects. * @param {Object} rect1 The first rect. * @param {Object} rect2 The second rect. * @return {?Object|?ClientRect} The intersection rect or undefined if no * intersection is found. */ function computeRectIntersection(rect1, rect2) { var top = Math.max(rect1.top, rect2.top); var bottom = Math.min(rect1.bottom, rect2.bottom); var left = Math.max(rect1.left, rect2.left); var right = Math.min(rect1.right, rect2.right); var width = right - left; var height = bottom - top; return (width >= 0 && height >= 0) && { top: top, bottom: bottom, left: left, right: right, width: width, height: height } || null; } /** * Shims the native getBoundingClientRect for compatibility with older IE. * @param {Element} el The element whose bounding rect to get. * @return {DOMRect|ClientRect} The (possibly shimmed) rect of the element. */ function getBoundingClientRect(el) { var rect; try { rect = el.getBoundingClientRect(); } catch (err) { // Ignore Windows 7 IE11 "Unspecified error" // https://github.com/w3c/IntersectionObserver/pull/205 } if (!rect) return getEmptyRect(); // Older IE if (!(rect.width && rect.height)) { rect = { top: rect.top, right: rect.right, bottom: rect.bottom, left: rect.left, width: rect.right - rect.left, height: rect.bottom - rect.top }; } return rect; } /** * Returns an empty rect object. An empty rect is returned when an element * is not in the DOM. * @return {ClientRect} The empty rect. */ function getEmptyRect() { return { top: 0, bottom: 0, left: 0, right: 0, width: 0, height: 0 }; } /** * Ensure that the result has all of the necessary fields of the DOMRect. * Specifically this ensures that `x` and `y` fields are set. * * @param {?DOMRect|?ClientRect} rect * @return {?DOMRect} */ function ensureDOMRect(rect) { // A `DOMRect` object has `x` and `y` fields. if (!rect || 'x' in rect) { return rect; } // A IE's `ClientRect` type does not have `x` and `y`. The same is the case // for internally calculated Rect objects. For the purposes of // `IntersectionObserver`, it's sufficient to simply mirror `left` and `top` // for these fields. return { top: rect.top, y: rect.top, bottom: rect.bottom, left: rect.left, x: rect.left, right: rect.right, width: rect.width, height: rect.height }; } /** * Inverts the intersection and bounding rect from the parent (frame) BCR to * the local BCR space. * @param {DOMRect|ClientRect} parentBoundingRect The parent's bound client rect. * @param {DOMRect|ClientRect} parentIntersectionRect The parent's own intersection rect. * @return {ClientRect} The local root bounding rect for the parent's children. */ function convertFromParentRect(parentBoundingRect, parentIntersectionRect) { var top = parentIntersectionRect.top - parentBoundingRect.top; var left = parentIntersectionRect.left - parentBoundingRect.left; return { top: top, left: left, height: parentIntersectionRect.height, width: parentIntersectionRect.width, bottom: top + parentIntersectionRect.height, right: left + 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class="upper"><svg enable-background="new 0 0 16.8 16" height="16" viewbox="0 0 16.8 16" width="16" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m8.4 0l-8.4 8.4h5.1v7.6h6.6v-7.6h5.1z" fill="#2a2a2a"/></svg></i></div></div></fieldset></form></div></div></div><div class="burger"><img src="/web/20211127000529im_/https://www.lexico.com/assets/oup/svg/hamburger-menu-594799c23e03196ed910c5798976a15b1779b55f9c9824608c69cf0ff6191ee8.svg" height="18" width="28" alt="menu"/><span>menu</span></div></div></div></header><div id="main"><div class="errors__container headerHead"></div><script type="application/ld+json" id="article_schema"> //<![CDATA[ {"@context":"https://web.archive.org/web/20211127000529/https://schema.org","@type":"Article","headline":"A Look At Some Commonly Confused Words","author":"Lexico.com Team","genre":"Usage","keywords":"commonly confused words, confusables, spelling","wordcount":"2700","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Lexico.com","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://web.archive.org/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/lexico-logo.svg"}},"url":"https://web.archive.org/web/20211127000529/https://lexico.com","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://web.archive.org/web/20211127000529/https://lexico.com/explore"},"datePublished":"2019-03-26","dateCreated":"2019-03-26","dateModified":"2019-12-09","description":"Spellcheckers can miss mistakes where words have been mixed up because they look and sound alike. Our video guide will help you see the difference for yourself.","articleBody":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"fr-embedcode fr-dvb\" contenteditable=\"false\"\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https://players.brightcove.net/5660549791001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6084784094001\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"encrypted-media\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\"\u003e\u003c/iframe\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTake a look at these two sentences – one of them contains a mistake:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eI \u003cstrong\u003epoured over\u003c/strong\u003e book after book.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eWe \u003cstrong\u003epored over\u003c/strong\u003e the catalogues.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAre you uncertain which one is right? There are a lot of words in English that look or sound alike but have very different meanings, such as \u003cstrong\u003epore\u003c/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003epour\u003c/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eflaunt\u003c/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eflout\u003c/strong\u003e. It’s easy to get them confused and most electronic spellcheckers won’t be much help in this type of situation: they can tell you if a word has been spelled wrongly but they can’t generally flag up the misuse of a correctly spelled word.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHere’s a quick-reference list of pairs of words that regularly cause people problems. The words follow the accepted British English spelling. Some of them do have alternative American spellings and you will find these at the main dictionary entry on this website.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eConfusables\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMeanings\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/accept\"\u003eaccept\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/except\"\u003eexcept\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto agree to receive or do\u003cbr\u003enot including\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/adverse\"\u003eadverse\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/averse\"\u003eaverse\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eunfavourable, harmful\u003cbr\u003estrongly disliking; opposed\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/advice\"\u003eadvice\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/advise\"\u003eadvise\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003erecommendations about what to do\u003cbr\u003eto recommend something\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/affect\"\u003eaffect\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/effect\"\u003eeffect\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto change or make a difference to\u003cbr\u003ea result; to bring about a result\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/aisle\"\u003eaisle\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/isle\"\u003eisle\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea passage between rows of seats\u003cbr\u003ean island\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/all#all__76\"\u003eall together\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/altogether\"\u003ealtogether\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eall in one place, all at once\u003cbr\u003ecompletely; on the whole\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/along\"\u003ealong\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/long\"\u003ea long\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003emoving or extending horizontally on\u003cbr\u003ereferring to something of great length\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/aloud\"\u003ealoud\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/allow\"\u003eallowed\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eout loud\u003cbr\u003epermitted\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/altar\"\u003ealtar\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/alter\"\u003ealter\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea sacred table in a church\u003cbr\u003eto change\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/amoral\"\u003eamoral\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/immoral\"\u003eimmoral\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003enot concerned with right or wrong\u003cbr\u003enot following accepted moral standards\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/appraise\"\u003eappraise\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/apprise\"\u003eapprise\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto assess\u003cbr\u003eto inform someone\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/assent\"\u003eassent\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/ascent\"\u003eascent\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eagreement, approval\u003cbr\u003ethe action of rising or climbing up\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/aural\"\u003eaural\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/oral\"\u003eoral\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003erelating to the ears or hearing\u003cbr\u003erelating to the mouth; spoken\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/balmy\"\u003ebalmy\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/barmy\"\u003ebarmy\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003epleasantly warm\u003cbr\u003efoolish, crazy\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/bare\"\u003ebare\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/bear\"\u003ebear\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003enaked; to uncover\u003cbr\u003eto carry; to put up with\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/bated\"\u003ebated\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/bait\"\u003ebaited\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ein phrase 'with \u003cstrong\u003ebated\u003c/strong\u003e breath', i.e. in great suspense\u003cbr\u003ewith bait attached or inserted\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/bazaar\"\u003ebazaar\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/bizarre\"\u003ebizarre\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea Middle Eastern market\u003cbr\u003estrange\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/berth\"\u003eberth\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/birth\"\u003ebirth\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea bunk in a ship, train, etc.\u003cbr\u003ethe emergence of a baby from the womb\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/born\"\u003eborn\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/borne\"\u003eborne\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ehaving started life\u003cbr\u003ecarried\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/bough\"\u003ebough\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/bow\"\u003ebow\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea branch of a tree\u003cbr\u003eto bend the head; the front of a ship\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/brake\"\u003ebrake\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/break\"\u003ebreak\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea device for stopping a vehicle; to stop a vehicle\u003cbr\u003eto separate into pieces; a pause\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/breach\"\u003ebreach\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/breech\"\u003ebreech\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto break through, or break a rule; a gap\u003cbr\u003ethe back part of a gun barrel\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/broach\"\u003ebroach\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/brooch\"\u003ebrooch\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto raise a subject for discussion\u003cbr\u003ea piece of jewellery\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/canvas\"\u003ecanvas\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/canvass\"\u003ecanvass\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea type of strong cloth\u003cbr\u003eto seek people’s votes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/censure\"\u003ecensure\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/censor\"\u003ecensor\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto criticize strongly\u003cbr\u003eto ban parts of a book or film; a person who does this\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/cereal\"\u003ecereal\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/serial\"\u003eserial\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea grass producing an edible grain; a breakfast food made from grains\u003cbr\u003ehappening in a series\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/chord\"\u003echord\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/cord\"\u003ecord\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea group of musical notes\u003cbr\u003ea length of string; a cord-like body part\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/climactic\"\u003eclimactic\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/climatic\"\u003eclimatic\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eforming a climax\u003cbr\u003erelating to climate\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/coarse\"\u003ecoarse\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/course\"\u003ecourse\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003erough\u003cbr\u003ea direction; a school subject; part of a meal\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/complacent\"\u003ecomplacent\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/complaisant\"\u003ecomplaisant\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003esmug and self-satisfied\u003cbr\u003ewilling to please\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/complement\"\u003ecomplement\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/compliment\"\u003ecompliment\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto add to so as to improve; an addition that improves something\u003cbr\u003eto praise or express approval; an admiring remark\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/council\"\u003ecouncil\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/counsel\"\u003ecounsel\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea group of people who manage or advise\u003cbr\u003eadvice; to advise\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/cue\"\u003ecue\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/queue\"\u003equeue\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea signal for action; a wooden rod\u003cbr\u003ea line of people or vehicles\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/curb\"\u003ecurb\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/kerb\"\u003ekerb\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto keep something in check; a control or limit\u003cbr\u003e(in British English) the stone edge of a pavement\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/currant\"\u003ecurrant\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/current\"\u003ecurrent\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea dried grape\u003cbr\u003ehappening now; a flow of water, air, or electricity\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/defuse\"\u003edefuse\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/diffuse\"\u003ediffuse\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto make a situation less tense\u003cbr\u003eto spread over a wide area\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/desert\"\u003edesert\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/dessert\"\u003edessert\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea waterless, empty area; to abandon someone\u003cbr\u003ethe sweet course of a meal\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/discreet\"\u003ediscreet\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/discrete\"\u003ediscrete\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ecareful not to attract attention\u003cbr\u003eseparate and distinct\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/disinterested\"\u003edisinterested\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/uninterested\"\u003euninterested\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eimpartial\u003cbr\u003enot interested\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/draught\"\u003edraught\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/draft\"\u003edraft\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea current of air\u003cbr\u003ea first version of a piece of writing\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/draw\"\u003edraw\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/drawer\"\u003edrawer\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ean even score at the end of a game\u003cbr\u003ea sliding storage compartment\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/dual\"\u003edual\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/duel\"\u003eduel\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ehaving two parts\u003cbr\u003ea fight or contest between two people\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca name=\"elicit\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/elicit\"\u003eelicit\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/illicit\"\u003eillicit\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto draw out a reply or reaction\u003cbr\u003enot allowed by law or rules\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/ensure\"\u003eensure\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/insure\"\u003einsure\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto make certain that something will happen\u003cbr\u003eto provide compensation if a person dies or property is damaged\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/envelop\"\u003eenvelop\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/envelope\"\u003eenvelope\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto cover or surround\u003cbr\u003ea paper container for a letter\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/exercise\"\u003eexercise\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/exorcise\"\u003eexorcise\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ephysical activity; to do physical activity\u003cbr\u003eto drive out an evil spirit\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/fawn\"\u003efawn\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/faun\"\u003efaun\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea young deer; light brown\u003cbr\u003ea mythical being, part man, part goat\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca name=\"flaunt\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/flaunt\"\u003eflaunt\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/flout\"\u003eflout\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto display ostentatiously\u003cbr\u003eto disregard a rule\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/flounder\"\u003eflounder\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/founder#founder-3\"\u003efounder\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto move clumsily; to have difficulty doing something\u003cbr\u003eto fail\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/forbear\"\u003eforbear\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/forebear\"\u003eforebear\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto refrain\u003cbr\u003ean ancestor\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/foreword\"\u003eforeword\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/forward\"\u003eforward\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ean introduction to a book\u003cbr\u003eonwards, ahead\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/freeze\"\u003efreeze\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/frieze\"\u003efrieze\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto turn to ice\u003cbr\u003ea decoration along a wall\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/grisly\"\u003egrisly\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/grizzly\"\u003egrizzly\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003egruesome, revolting\u003cbr\u003ea type of bear\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/hoard\"\u003ehoard\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/horde\"\u003ehorde\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea store\u003cbr\u003ea large crowd of people\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/imply\"\u003eimply\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/infer\"\u003einfer\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto suggest indirectly\u003cbr\u003eto draw a conclusion\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/loath\"\u003eloath\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/loathe\"\u003eloathe\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ereluctant, unwilling\u003cbr\u003eto hate\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/loose\"\u003eloose\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/lose\"\u003elose\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto unfasten; to set free\u003cbr\u003eto be deprived of; to be unable to find\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/meter#meter-3\"\u003emeter\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/metre\"\u003emetre\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea measuring device\u003cbr\u003ea metric unit; rhythm in verse\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/militate\"\u003emilitate\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/mitigate\"\u003emitigate\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto be a powerful factor against\u003cbr\u003eto make less severe\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/palate\"\u003epalate\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/palette\"\u003epalette\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ethe roof of the mouth\u003cbr\u003ea board for mixing colours\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/pedal\"\u003epedal\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/peddle\"\u003epeddle\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea foot-operated lever\u003cbr\u003eto sell goods\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/pole\"\u003epole\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/poll\"\u003epoll\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea long, slender piece of wood\u003cbr\u003evoting in an election\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/pour\"\u003epour\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/pore\"\u003epore\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto flow or cause to flow\u003cbr\u003ea tiny opening; to study something closely\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/practice\"\u003epractice\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/practise\"\u003epractise\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ethe use of an idea or method; the work or business of a doctor, dentist, etc.\u003cbr\u003eto do something repeatedly to gain skill; to do something regularly\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/prescribe\"\u003eprescribe\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/proscribe\"\u003eproscribe\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto authorize use of medicine; to order authoritatively\u003cbr\u003eto officially forbid something\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/principal\"\u003eprincipal\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/principle\"\u003eprinciple\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003emost important; the head of a school\u003cbr\u003ea fundamental rule or belief\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/sceptic\"\u003esceptic\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/septic\"\u003eseptic\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea person inclined to doubt\u003cbr\u003einfected with bacteria\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/sight\"\u003esight\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/sight\"\u003esite\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ethe ability to see\u003cbr\u003ea location\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/stationary\"\u003estationary\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/stationery\"\u003estationery\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003enot moving\u003cbr\u003ewriting materials\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/storey\"\u003estorey\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/story\"\u003estory\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea level of a building\u003cbr\u003ea tale or account\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/titillate\"\u003etitillate\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/titivate\"\u003etitivate\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eto arouse interest\u003cbr\u003eto make more attractive\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/tortuous\"\u003etortuous\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/torturous\"\u003etorturous\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003efull of twists; complex\u003cbr\u003efull of pain or suffering\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/wreath\"\u003ewreath\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/wreathe\"\u003ewreathe\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea ring-shaped arrangement of flowers etc.\u003cbr\u003eto surround or encircle\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/yoke\"\u003eyoke\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"/definition/yolk\"\u003eyolk\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003ea wooden crosspiece for harnessing a pair of oxen\u003cbr\u003ethe yellow center of an egg\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBack to\u003c/strong\u003e\r\n\u003ca href=\"/grammar/usage\" title=\"Usage\"\u003eUsage\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYou may also be interested in:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"/grammar/loose-or-lose\" title=\"'Loose' or 'lose'?\"\u003e'Loose' or 'lose'?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"/grammar/pour-or-pore\" title=\"'Pour' or 'pore'?\"\u003e'Pour' or 'pore'?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"/grammar/bare-or-bear\" title=\"'Bare' or 'bear'?\"\u003e'Bare' or 'bear'?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"} //]]> </script><div id="content"><div class="lex-container"><div class="banbox mobile_banner"><div class="container content-ban"><aside class="banner adUnit"><div id="lexi_serp_dkt_atf_728x90_10"></div><div id="lexi_serp_mweb_atf_320x50_1"></div></aside></div></div><div class="main-content"><div class="container layout"><div class="lex-content"><div class="lex-filling"><div><div class="breadcrumbs layout"><p><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/" data-behaviour="ga-event-breadcrumb" data-value="Homepage anchor">Home</a><span class="chevron"></span> <a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="secondary breadcrumb" href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/grammar">Grammar</a> <span class="chevron"></span> <a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="secondary breadcrumb" href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/grammar/usage">Usage</a> <span class="chevron"></span> <a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="secondary breadcrumb" href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/grammar/commonly-confused-words">A Look At Some Commonly Confused Words</a></p></div><div class="non-lexical-socials"><div class="socials"><ul><li><a class="ico-fb" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211127000529/https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=292327308384887&display=page&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lexico.com%2Fgrammar%2Fcommonly-confused-words&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lexico.com%2Fgrammar%2Fcommonly-confused-words" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="Share on Facebook" onclick="javascript:ga('send', 'event', 'share_this_entry', 'facebook', 'https://web.archive.org/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/grammar/commonly-confused-words');" data-behaviour="ga-event-entry-sharing" data-value="Facebook"><i class="transition"><svg enable-background="new 0 0 30 30" viewbox="0 0 30 30" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m15 0c-8.284 0-15 6.716-15 15 0 8.285 6.716 15 15 15 8.284 0 15-6.715 15-15 0-8.284-6.716-15-15-15m3.214 15.01h-2.102c0 3.357 0 7.495 0 7.495h-3.115c0 0 0-4.095 0-7.495h-1.482v-2.647h1.482v-1.714c0-1.227.582-3.144 3.143-3.144l2.307.009v2.571c0 0-1.404 0-1.676 0-.271 0-.66.136-.66.722v1.556h2.375l-.272 2.647" fill="#37589a"/></svg></i></a></li> <li><a class="ico-tw" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211127000529/https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=A%20Look%20At%20Some%20Commonly%20Confused%20Words%20-%20Lexico.com&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lexico.com%2Fgrammar%2Fcommonly-confused-words" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="Share on Twitter" onclick="javascript:ga('send', 'event', 'share_this_entry', 'twitter', 'https://web.archive.org/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/grammar/commonly-confused-words');" data-behaviour="ga-event-entry-sharing" data-value="Twitter"><i class="transition"><svg enable-background="new 0 0 30 30" viewbox="0 0 30 30" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m15 0c-8.284 0-15 6.716-15 15 0 8.285 6.716 15 15 15 8.283 0 15-6.715 15-15 0-8.284-6.717-15-15-15m5.965 11.943c.006.132.001.264.001.397 0 4.066-3.095 8.755-8.757 8.755-1.738 0-3.356-.509-4.718-1.382.242.028.486.041.734.041 1.443 0 2.769-.489 3.821-1.314-1.345-.025-2.483-.916-2.874-2.136.188.033.38.053.579.053.281 0 .553-.039.81-.107-1.407-.284-2.468-1.527-2.468-3.02 0-.013 0-.026 0-.039.416.231.891.368 1.395.384-.825-.551-1.369-1.494-1.369-2.562 0-.564.152-1.093.417-1.547 1.517 1.863 3.786 3.087 6.342 3.215-.052-.226-.08-.459-.08-.701 0-1.699 1.377-3.076 3.079-3.076.885 0 1.685.374 2.246.97.699-.137 1.359-.394 1.955-.748-.232.719-.719 1.322-1.354 1.703.624-.073 1.217-.24 1.768-.483-.413.618-.936 1.16-1.536 1.595" fill="#38a8e0"/></svg></i></a></li> <li><a class="ico-lin" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211127000529/https://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lexico.com%2Fgrammar%2Fcommonly-confused-words" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="Share on Linkedin+" onclick="javascript:window.open(this.href,'', 'menubar=no,toolbar=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,height=600,width=600'); ga('send', 'event', 'share_this_entry', 'linkedin', 'https://web.archive.org/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/grammar/commonly-confused-words'); return false;" data-behaviour="ga-event-entry-sharing" data-value="LinkedIn"><i class="transition"><svg enable-background="new 0 0 32 32" viewbox="0 0 32 32" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill="#006799"><path d="m16.959 14.824v-.033c-.006.012-.015.023-.022.033h.022"/><path d="m16 0c-8.837 0-16 7.164-16 16 0 8.837 7.163 16 16 16 8.836 0 16-7.162 16-16 0-8.836-7.164-16-16-16m-4.367 23.646h-3.431v-10.316h3.431v10.316m-1.716-11.726h-.022c-1.151 0-1.895-.793-1.895-1.783 0-1.012.768-1.783 1.939-1.783 1.174 0 1.896.771 1.918 1.783 0 .99-.744 1.783-1.94 1.783m14.08 11.726h-3.43v-5.52c0-1.387-.496-2.333-1.738-2.333-.946 0-1.512.64-1.76 1.255-.091.221-.113.525-.113.836v5.762h-3.429c0 0 .044-9.349 0-10.316h3.429v1.461c.457-.705 1.271-1.703 3.092-1.703 2.256 0 3.949 1.473 3.949 4.642v5.916"/></g></svg></i></a></li> </ul></div> </div><div class="textBlock layout"><h1><span>A Look At Some Commonly Confused Words</span></h1><p><p><span class="fr-embedcode fr-dvb" contenteditable="false"><iframe src="https://web.archive.org/web/20211127000529if_/https://players.brightcove.net/5660549791001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6084784094001" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media" width="480" height="270"></iframe></span><br></p><p>Take a look at these two sentences – one of them contains a mistake:</p><p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>I <strong>poured over</strong> book after book.</em></p><p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>We <strong>pored over</strong> the catalogues.</em></p><p>Are you uncertain which one is right? There are a lot of words in English that look or sound alike but have very different meanings, such as <strong>pore</strong> and <strong>pour</strong> or <strong>flaunt</strong> and <strong>flout</strong>. It’s easy to get them confused and most electronic spellcheckers won’t be much help in this type of situation: they can tell you if a word has been spelled wrongly but they can’t generally flag up the misuse of a correctly spelled word.</p><p>Here’s a quick-reference list of pairs of words that regularly cause people problems. The words follow the accepted British English spelling. Some of them do have alternative American spellings and you will find these at the main dictionary entry on this website.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><strong><em>Confusables</em></strong></td><td><strong><em>Meanings</em></strong></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/accept">accept</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/except">except</a><br></td><td>to agree to receive or do<br>not including<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/adverse">adverse</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/averse">averse</a><br></td><td>unfavourable, harmful<br>strongly disliking; opposed<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/advice">advice</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/advise">advise</a><br></td><td>recommendations about what to do<br>to recommend something<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/affect">affect</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/effect">effect</a><br></td><td>to change or make a difference to<br>a result; to bring about a result<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/aisle">aisle</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/isle">isle</a><br></td><td>a passage between rows of seats<br>an island<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/all#all__76">all together</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/altogether">altogether</a><br></td><td>all in one place, all at once<br>completely; on the whole<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/along">along</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/long">a long</a><br></td><td>moving or extending horizontally on<br>referring to something of great length<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/aloud">aloud</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/allow">allowed</a><br></td><td>out loud<br>permitted<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/altar">altar</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/alter">alter</a><br></td><td>a sacred table in a church<br>to change<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/amoral">amoral</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/immoral">immoral</a><br></td><td>not concerned with right or wrong<br>not following accepted moral standards<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/appraise">appraise</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/apprise">apprise</a><br></td><td>to assess<br>to inform someone<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/assent">assent</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/ascent">ascent</a><br></td><td>agreement, approval<br>the action of rising or climbing up<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/aural">aural</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/oral">oral</a><br></td><td>relating to the ears or hearing<br>relating to the mouth; spoken<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/balmy">balmy</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/barmy">barmy</a><br></td><td>pleasantly warm<br>foolish, crazy<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/bare">bare</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/bear">bear</a><br></td><td>naked; to uncover<br>to carry; to put up with<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/bated">bated</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/bait">baited</a><br></td><td>in phrase 'with <strong>bated</strong> breath', i.e. in great suspense<br>with bait attached or inserted<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/bazaar">bazaar</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/bizarre">bizarre</a><br></td><td>a Middle Eastern market<br>strange<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/berth">berth</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/birth">birth</a><br></td><td>a bunk in a ship, train, etc.<br>the emergence of a baby from the womb<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/born">born</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/borne">borne</a><br></td><td>having started life<br>carried<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/bough">bough</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/bow">bow</a><br></td><td>a branch of a tree<br>to bend the head; the front of a ship<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/brake">brake</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/break">break</a><br></td><td>a device for stopping a vehicle; to stop a vehicle<br>to separate into pieces; a pause<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/breach">breach</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/breech">breech</a><br></td><td>to break through, or break a rule; a gap<br>the back part of a gun barrel<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/broach">broach</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/brooch">brooch</a><br></td><td>to raise a subject for discussion<br>a piece of jewellery<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/canvas">canvas</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/canvass">canvass</a><br></td><td>a type of strong cloth<br>to seek people’s votes<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/censure">censure</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/censor">censor</a><br></td><td>to criticize strongly<br>to ban parts of a book or film; a person who does this<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/cereal">cereal</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/serial">serial</a><br></td><td>a grass producing an edible grain; a breakfast food made from grains<br>happening in a series<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/chord">chord</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/cord">cord</a><br></td><td>a group of musical notes<br>a length of string; a cord-like body part<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/climactic">climactic</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/climatic">climatic</a><br></td><td>forming a climax<br>relating to climate<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/coarse">coarse</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/course">course</a><br></td><td>rough<br>a direction; a school subject; part of a meal<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/complacent">complacent</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/complaisant">complaisant</a><br></td><td>smug and self-satisfied<br>willing to please<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/complement">complement</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/compliment">compliment</a><br></td><td>to add to so as to improve; an addition that improves something<br>to praise or express approval; an admiring remark<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/council">council</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/counsel">counsel</a><br></td><td>a group of people who manage or advise<br>advice; to advise<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/cue">cue</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/queue">queue</a><br></td><td>a signal for action; a wooden rod<br>a line of people or vehicles<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/curb">curb</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/kerb">kerb</a><br></td><td>to keep something in check; a control or limit<br>(in British English) the stone edge of a pavement<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/currant">currant</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/current">current</a><br></td><td>a dried grape<br>happening now; a flow of water, air, or electricity<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/defuse">defuse</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/diffuse">diffuse</a><br></td><td>to make a situation less tense<br>to spread over a wide area<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/desert">desert</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/dessert">dessert</a><br></td><td>a waterless, empty area; to abandon someone<br>the sweet course of a meal<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/discreet">discreet</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/discrete">discrete</a><br></td><td>careful not to attract attention<br>separate and distinct<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/disinterested">disinterested</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/uninterested">uninterested</a><br></td><td>impartial<br>not interested<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/draught">draught</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/draft">draft</a><br></td><td>a current of air<br>a first version of a piece of writing<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/draw">draw</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/drawer">drawer</a><br></td><td>an even score at the end of a game<br>a sliding storage compartment<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/dual">dual</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/duel">duel</a><br></td><td>having two parts<br>a fight or contest between two people<br></td></tr><tr><td><a name="elicit"></a><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/elicit">elicit</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/illicit">illicit</a><br></td><td>to draw out a reply or reaction<br>not allowed by law or rules<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/ensure">ensure</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/insure">insure</a><br></td><td>to make certain that something will happen<br>to provide compensation if a person dies or property is damaged<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/envelop">envelop</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/envelope">envelope</a><br></td><td>to cover or surround<br>a paper container for a letter<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/exercise">exercise</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/exorcise">exorcise</a><br></td><td>physical activity; to do physical activity<br>to drive out an evil spirit<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/fawn">fawn</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/faun">faun</a><br></td><td>a young deer; light brown<br>a mythical being, part man, part goat<br></td></tr><tr><td><a name="flaunt"></a><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/flaunt">flaunt</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/flout">flout</a><br></td><td>to display ostentatiously<br>to disregard a rule<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/flounder">flounder</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/founder#founder-3">founder</a><br></td><td>to move clumsily; to have difficulty doing something<br>to fail<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/forbear">forbear</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/forebear">forebear</a><br></td><td>to refrain<br>an ancestor<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/foreword">foreword</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/forward">forward</a><br></td><td>an introduction to a book<br>onwards, ahead<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/freeze">freeze</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/frieze">frieze</a><br></td><td>to turn to ice<br>a decoration along a wall<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/grisly">grisly</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/grizzly">grizzly</a><br></td><td>gruesome, revolting<br>a type of bear<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/hoard">hoard</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/horde">horde</a><br></td><td>a store<br>a large crowd of people<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/imply">imply</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/infer">infer</a><br></td><td>to suggest indirectly<br>to draw a conclusion<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/loath">loath</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/loathe">loathe</a><br></td><td>reluctant, unwilling<br>to hate<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/loose">loose</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/lose">lose</a><br></td><td>to unfasten; to set free<br>to be deprived of; to be unable to find<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/meter#meter-3">meter</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/metre">metre</a><br></td><td>a measuring device<br>a metric unit; rhythm in verse<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/militate">militate</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/mitigate">mitigate</a><br></td><td>to be a powerful factor against<br>to make less severe<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/palate">palate</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/palette">palette</a><br></td><td>the roof of the mouth<br>a board for mixing colours<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/pedal">pedal</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/peddle">peddle</a><br></td><td>a foot-operated lever<br>to sell goods<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/pole">pole</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/poll">poll</a><br></td><td>a long, slender piece of wood<br>voting in an election<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/pour">pour</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/pore">pore</a><br></td><td>to flow or cause to flow<br>a tiny opening; to study something closely<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/practice">practice</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/practise">practise</a><br></td><td>the use of an idea or method; the work or business of a doctor, dentist, etc.<br>to do something repeatedly to gain skill; to do something regularly<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/prescribe">prescribe</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/proscribe">proscribe</a><br></td><td>to authorize use of medicine; to order authoritatively<br>to officially forbid something<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/principal">principal</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/principle">principle</a><br></td><td>most important; the head of a school<br>a fundamental rule or belief<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/sceptic">sceptic</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/septic">septic</a><br></td><td>a person inclined to doubt<br>infected with bacteria<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/sight">sight</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/sight">site</a><br></td><td>the ability to see<br>a location<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/stationary">stationary</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/stationery">stationery</a><br></td><td>not moving<br>writing materials<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/storey">storey</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/story">story</a><br></td><td>a level of a building<br>a tale or account<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/titillate">titillate</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/titivate">titivate</a><br></td><td>to arouse interest<br>to make more attractive<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/tortuous">tortuous</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/torturous">torturous</a><br></td><td>full of twists; complex<br>full of pain or suffering<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/wreath">wreath</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/wreathe">wreathe</a><br></td><td>a ring-shaped arrangement of flowers etc.<br>to surround or encircle<br></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/yoke">yoke</a><br><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/definition/yolk">yolk</a><br></td><td>a wooden crosspiece for harnessing a pair of oxen<br>the yellow center of an egg<br></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p><strong>Back to</strong> <a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/grammar/usage" title="Usage">Usage</a>.</p><p><strong>You may also be interested in:</strong></p><p><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/grammar/loose-or-lose" title="'Loose' or 'lose'?">'Loose' or 'lose'?</a></p><p><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/grammar/pour-or-pore" title="'Pour' or 'pore'?">'Pour' or 'pore'?</a></p><p><a href="/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/grammar/bare-or-bear" title="'Bare' or 'bear'?">'Bare' or 'bear'?</a></p></p><div class="non-lexical-socials socials-mobile"><div class="socials"><ul><li><a class="ico-fb" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211127000529/https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=292327308384887&display=page&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lexico.com%2Fgrammar%2Fcommonly-confused-words&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lexico.com%2Fgrammar%2Fcommonly-confused-words" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="Share on Facebook" onclick="javascript:ga('send', 'event', 'share_this_entry', 'facebook', 'https://web.archive.org/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/grammar/commonly-confused-words');" data-behaviour="ga-event-entry-sharing" data-value="Facebook"><i class="transition"><svg enable-background="new 0 0 30 30" viewbox="0 0 30 30" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m15 0c-8.284 0-15 6.716-15 15 0 8.285 6.716 15 15 15 8.284 0 15-6.715 15-15 0-8.284-6.716-15-15-15m3.214 15.01h-2.102c0 3.357 0 7.495 0 7.495h-3.115c0 0 0-4.095 0-7.495h-1.482v-2.647h1.482v-1.714c0-1.227.582-3.144 3.143-3.144l2.307.009v2.571c0 0-1.404 0-1.676 0-.271 0-.66.136-.66.722v1.556h2.375l-.272 2.647" fill="#37589a"/></svg></i></a></li> <li><a class="ico-tw" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211127000529/https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=A%20Look%20At%20Some%20Commonly%20Confused%20Words%20-%20Lexico.com&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lexico.com%2Fgrammar%2Fcommonly-confused-words" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="Share on Twitter" onclick="javascript:ga('send', 'event', 'share_this_entry', 'twitter', 'https://web.archive.org/web/20211127000529/https://www.lexico.com/grammar/commonly-confused-words');" data-behaviour="ga-event-entry-sharing" data-value="Twitter"><i class="transition"><svg enable-background="new 0 0 30 30" viewbox="0 0 30 30" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m15 0c-8.284 0-15 6.716-15 15 0 8.285 6.716 15 15 15 8.283 0 15-6.715 15-15 0-8.284-6.717-15-15-15m5.965 11.943c.006.132.001.264.001.397 0 4.066-3.095 8.755-8.757 8.755-1.738 0-3.356-.509-4.718-1.382.242.028.486.041.734.041 1.443 0 2.769-.489 3.821-1.314-1.345-.025-2.483-.916-2.874-2.136.188.033.38.053.579.053.281 0 .553-.039.81-.107-1.407-.284-2.468-1.527-2.468-3.02 0-.013 0-.026 0-.039.416.231.891.368 1.395.384-.825-.551-1.369-1.494-1.369-2.562 0-.564.152-1.093.417-1.547 1.517 1.863 3.786 3.087 6.342 3.215-.052-.226-.08-.459-.08-.701 0-1.699 1.377-3.076 3.079-3.076.885 0 1.685.374 2.246.97.699-.137 1.359-.394 1.955-.748-.232.719-.719 1.322-1.354 1.703.624-.073 1.217-.24 1.768-.483-.413.618-.936 1.16-1.536 1.595" fill="#38a8e0"/></svg></i></a></li> <li><a class="ico-lin" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211127000529/https://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lexico.com%2Fgrammar%2Fcommonly-confused-words" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="Share on Linkedin+" onclick="javascript:window.open(this.href,'', 'menubar=no,toolbar=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,height=600,width=600'); 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