Hurdle refers to a difficulty or obstacle. The Health Care Bill cleared a big hurdle in the Senate today. Hurtle means to move with great speed or to go violently. Many baby boomers are hurtling toward their retirement age. The tornado sent debris hurtling all over the community.
Category: Confusing Words
Difference between Humerus and Humorous
Humerus is the long bone of the upper arm that extends from the shoulder to the elbow. Humorous means being funny or amusing.
Difference between Hue, Shade and Tint
Hue is a color’s intensity. Shade is a degree of darkness of a color. Tint is a pale variation of a color.
Difference between How ever and However
How ever is used for emphasis. How ever did you get front row seats for the concert? However means in whatever manner or nevertheless. However the board decides, we probably should just accept it. However, the board should make a decision on the matter soon.
Difference between Hostel and Hostile
Hostel refers to an inexpensive hotel usually for young travelers. Pete reserved his hostel online to ensure he had a place to stay. Hostile refers to being exceptionally unfriendly or antagonist. The hostile forces failed to sabotage the revolution.
Difference between Honorarium and Stipend
Honorarium is a gift of payment for a service instead of a set price. They gave Kerry an honorarium for his architecture advice. Stipend is an agreed to sum of money for a periodic service. She gets a large stipend from the college every three months.
Difference between Homographs, Homonyms and Homophones
Homographs are words spelled alike but different in meaning and pronunciation (noun project vs. the verb project). Homonyms are words spelled and pronounced alike but have different meanings (A bear can bear very cold temperatures.). Homophones are words pronounced alike but different in spelling and meaning (their, there and real, reel).
Difference between Homogeneous and Homogenous
Homogeneous means of the same or similar nature or kind. It was a homogeneous club, its members having similar values. Homogenous means resembling in structure, due to descent. As shown by their like physiology, the animals are homogenous.
Difference between Home in on and Hone in on
Home in on, meaning to aim at a target, is the correct phrase. With that obvious clue, we can quickly home in on the answer.
Difference between Home and House
Home refers to intangible things (emotions) within a dwelling. It’s obvious they are all being raised in a very happy home. House refers to a structure that can be built, bought, or sold. The real estate broker just put her house on the market.
Difference between Hoi polloi and Hoity-toity
Hoi polloi means the common people or the masses. We were delighted to see their heroes riding with the hoi polloi. Hoity-toity means the elite, snobbish, or the upper class. You’ll never catch us hanging out with a hoity-toity crowd.
Difference between Hoard and Horde
Hoard refers to a hidden find or cache. Jim found a hoard of Roman coins with his metal detector. Horde refers to a crowd or throng. We ran into a horde of mosquitoes at last night’s softball game.