Paronyms and Homonyms Beginning With D,E

Paronyms and Homonyms : - Confusion is often caused in understanding the meanings of certain words because they are either similar in meaning and form or similar in their sound of pronunciation. The words which are different in meaning or use but are similar in form or derivations are called Paronyms. On the other hand Homonyms are similar in their sound pronunciation but different in meaning They are also called Homophones (different in spelling and meaning but pronounced alike). In Modern English Paronyms and Homonyms (Homophones) are not much distinguished.

1. Disease : - (illness) My friend is suffering from an incurable disease

    Decease : - (death) On account of the decease of his father, the burden of the family fell on his shoulders.

2. Deny : - [(refers to past (action, knowledge)] She denied that she had gone to the movie last night.

    Refuse : - [refers to future (request, order)] Meeta refused that she w not return the money.

3. Duel : - (fight between two persons) In ancient times, many duels fought in order to settle disputes.

    Dual : - (double) She follows dual policy and misguides her husband

4. Deference : - (regards) All children should have deference for their elders.

    Difference : - (distinction) There is no difference among the basic concepts of all the religions.

    Deferment : - (postponement) His application for deferment of hearing was turned down.

5. Decent : - (right and suitable) She always wears decent clothes.

    Descent : - (coming down) The descent of the hill is very dangerous.

    Dissent : - (disagreement) Only a few members expressed dissent to my suggestion.

6. Desert : - (noun) (sandy land) The government has greatly solved the problem of pure drinking water in the desert.

    Desert : - (verb) (leave) She was deserted by her husband.

    Dessert : - (sweet dish) Dessert was served after dinner.

7. Dominant : - (dominating) Sohan is very dominant in our class.

    Domineer : - (to dominate) Mothers in láw try to domineer over their daughters in law.

8. Drought : - (lack of rain) Last year most of the areas of Uttar Pradesh suffered from a severe drought.

    Draught : - (current of wind, quantity of liquid) A draught of cool wind was very refreshing.

9. Defective : - (having defect) As he met with a severe accident last year. one of his legs is defective.

    Deficient : - (lacking) Though young he is deficient in common sense.

10. Diverse : - (different) The two children of one family may have diverse temperaments

     Divers : - (several) (i) He has consulted divers doctors about his disease. (ii) Those, who dive into river/sea, are divers

11. Deduce : - (infer) It is difficult to deduce any conclusion from your ambiguous remarks

     Deduct : - (subtract) Two days' wages will be deducted from your monthly salary

12. Deliverance : - (freedom, emancipation) Lord Buddha preached eight fold path to attain deliverance from sorrows of life.

     Delivery : - (giving letters etc.) The delivery of the letter was just in time.

13. Decry : - (criticize) The foreign policy of the Congress party has always been decried.

     Descry : - (dimly seen) We could descry only a traveller in the bleak evening.

14. Defy : - (violate) How dare you defy my orders?

     Deify :  - (to worship) Swami Vivekananda is deified by every Indian.

15. Doze : - (sleep) The teacher caught him dozing in the class.

     Dose : - (of medicine) You should not take heavy dose of medicine.

16. Dam : - (barrier built to reserve water) A dam has been built on the river.

     Damn : - (condemn) The book was damned by the critics.

17. Diversion : - (change in direction) There is a diversion on the road ahead.

     Diversity : - (variety) Diversity is the chief feature of our civilisation.

18. Enviable : - (causing envy) All the people are jealous because of his enviable position in the society.

     Envious : - (feeling of envy) Her friends were envious of her success in the medical entrance examination.

19. Exception : - (objection) There are always exceptions to rules in every language.

     Exceptional : - (rare, to a large extent) In his own class Rohit is a boy of exceptional abilities.

     Exceptionable : - (objectionable) I objected to her exceptionable remarks against my parents.

20. Eminent : - (famous) Shakespeare was an eminent playwright.

     Imminent : - (impending) Third world war is imminent.

     Immanent : - (present everywhere) Divine force is immanent in universe.

21. Eligible : - (fit to be chosen) Untrustworthy people are not eligible for responsible posts.

      Illegible : - (that cannot be read) I can't read this letter as her handwriting is illegible.

22. Exceedingly : -  [to a great extent (good sense)] One of my cousins is exceedingly rich person.

     Excessively : - [to a great extent (bad sense)] They spent money on the feast lavishly and excessively.

23. Exhausting : - (tiring) Teaching nursery classes is a very exhausting job.

     Exhaustive : - (detailed, comprehensive) The teacher gave to the students  exhaustive notes on English Grammar.

     Exhausted :  - (tired) He was exhausted and went to bed immediately.

24. Economical : - (frugal) A housewife should always be economical if she wants to run her house smoothly.

     Economic : - (pertaining to economy) India is yet to cross many hurdles overcome economic crisis.

    Economics :  - (a subject) Economics is an interesting subject.

25. Elude : - (escape) Sohan was so clever that he eluded the police and escaped from the prison.

     Allude :  - (refer, cite) The speaker alluded to many examples from the Gita.

26. Excite : - (stir up feelings) The people got very excited when the police refused to take any action against the culprits.

     Incite : - (rousing to action) The communal speech of the leader incited the mob to violence.

     Insight :  - (ability to see the truth) India needs leaders of great insight.

27. Envelop : - (cover, wrap) As the dark clouds covered the sky, the whole town was enveloped in darkness.

      Envelope :  - (a letter cover) Please put the letter in the envelope.

28. Expeditious :  - (quick, prompt) Dattu is very expeditious in answering letters.

     Expedient : - (practical, contrary to principles) Selfish persons are always expedient in their approach to life.

     Expedition : - (a journey to unknown place) They will go on an expedition to Everest.

29. Esteem : - (respect) As Mahesh is very sociable, he is held in high esteem by his friends.

     Estimate :  - (calculate) Can you give me the estimate of the cost of the house?

     Estimation : - (opinion, judgement) In my estimation he is the fool of the first water.

30. Exposure : - (reveal, exposed to heat or cold) She will not attend office today as she is suffering from exposure.

     Exposition : - (explanation) Tilak's exposition of the Gita is remarkable.

31. Egotist : - (one who talks a lot of oneself) It is difficult to stand the company of an egotist.

      Egoist : - (one who believes in self interest, proud) An egoist is moved only by self-interest while helping others.

32. Emerge : - (come out) It is hoped that he will emerge successful out of these trying conditions.

     Immerse : - (plunge into, absorb in) Being a man of contemplative nature, he is always immersed in pensive mood.

33. Eruption : - (bursting) The eruption of volcano caused heavy destruction on the island.

     Irruption : - (attack) The irruption of Pakistan Army was successfully repulsed.

34. Elemental : - (of nature, elements) Inspite of elemental hardships Columbus discovered America.

      Elementary : - (beginning, introductory) You must have elementary knowledge of science.

35. Excursion : - (picnic) The students will go on excursion tomorrow.

     Incursion : - (sudden attack) Incursions by Pakistan and China into our borders speak of our weakness.

36. Entrance : - (opening, gate) The entrance to the fair by this route has been blocked up.

     Entry : - (coming into) The entry of student leaders into college premises is banned.

37. Expensive : - (costing much money) She bought a less expensive dress.

     Valuable : - (useful) The book provides valuable data for further study.

Illustration : - Choose the correct word from the bracket.

The property of the  ____________  was confiscated by the government.     (deceased/diseased)

Answer : - Deceased

Illustration : - Choose the correct word from the bracket.

A good fellow will not  __________ a friend in need.       (desert/dessert)

Answer : - Desert