Transient means brief or fleeting (it usually applies to people). Mr. Dracon and Mr. Sasnowitz are transient guests at this hotel. Transitory means transient but usually applies to events. Do not worry, the noisy circus is transitory.
Category: Confusing Words
Difference between Track home and Tract home
Tract home is the correct phrase. It refers to a mass-produced house that has a common construction method and design. Tract homes continue to be popular in many areas of the town.
Difference between Tortuous and Torturous
Tortuous means winding or crooked. The bus took a tortuous route getting to the concert venue. Torturous means causing pain. The steep mountain path is quite torturous to our legs and feet.
Difference between Tongue and cheek and Tongue in cheek
Tongue in cheek is the correct phrase (meaning kidding). It derives from the practice of putting one’s tongue into one’s cheek to keep from laughing at an inappropriate moment. Pat wrote a lighthearted, tongue in cheek article about his college experiences.
Difference between Toe the line and Tow the line
Toe the line, meaning to conform to stated standards, is the correct expression and is equivalent to toe the mark. The phrase refers to two things: the starting mark in a foot race (the runners must toe the line), and the center line in a boxing ring where boxers stand and go toe to toe. […]
Difference between Titillate and Titivate
Titillate means to stimulate, tickle, or arouse pleasantly. The spicy chicken wings always titillate our taste buds. Titivate means adorn or spruce up. Hand-painted murals of famous jazz musicians titivate the walls.
Difference between Timber and Timbre
Timber refers to cut wood and, figuratively, to qualify for a certain position. The timber company worked on replanting trees all spring. The new trainee has management timber. Timbre refers to the quality of sound. The young choir voices have great range and beautiful timbre.
Difference between Till and Until
Though considered less formal, the word till is acceptable shorthand for until. Note that ‘til, a contraction of until, is an old form that has been replaced by till.
Difference between Tide me over and Tie me over
Tide me over, which means to help one survive a scarcity of some resource, is the correct expression. The phrase refers to a swelling tide, which can carry a small boat over an obstacle without requiring effort on the boat’s part. This job will tide me over financially until I find a better one.
Difference between Tidbit and Titbit
Tidbit is preferred in American usage.
Difference between Thus and Thusly
Thusly is a nonstandard word. Avoid its use.
Difference between Throughway and Thruway
Thruway, meaning an expressway, is the more common word. It is derived from the words through and highway.