| A | B |
|---|
| ail | be ill |
| ale | beer |
| air | gases around us |
| heir | one who inherits |
| aisle | passageway |
| isle | island |
| all | the whole lot |
| awl | sharp-pointed tool |
| allowed | permitted |
| aloud | not silently |
| alms | charitable donations |
| arms | limbs or guns |
| altar | communion table |
| alter | change |
| arc | curve |
| ark | ship built by Noah |
| ate | past tense of eat |
| eight | one more than 7 |
| aural | relating to hearing |
| oral | relating to the mouth |
| away | gone |
| aweigh | clear of sea bed |
| awe | wonder and dread |
| oar | something you row with |
| or | used to link alternatives |
| ore | metal is extracted from it |
| aye | old word for yes |
| eye | you see with it |
| bail | money to get you out of jail |
| bale | large bundle |
| baize | green woollen cloth |
| bays | indentations in the coast |
| bald | without hair |
| bawled | shouted |
| ball | round object |
| bawl | shout |
| band | musicians playing together or a tie |
| banned | not allowed |
| bard | a poet |
| barred | with bars across |
| bare | naked |
| bear | an animal or to tolerate |
| baron | a nobleman |
| barren | not fertile |
| base | the bottom part of something |
| bass | lowest singing voice |
| be | exist |
| bee | a buzzing insect |
| beach | sandy part by the sea |
| beech | a type of tree |
| bean | edible green pod |
| been | past participle of be |
| beat | hit |
| beet | plant with swollen root |
| beau | boyfriend |
| bow | looped knot |
| beer | alcoholic drink |
| bier | stand for a coffin |
| berry | small fruit |
| bury | cover with earth |
| berth | bed on ship or train |
| birth | being born |
| billed | asked to pay money owing |
| build | construct |
| bitten | past participle of bite |
| bittern | a type of bird |
| blew | past participle of blow |
| blue | the colour of the sky |
| boar | a wild pig |
| bore | make somebody uninterested |
| board | plank of wood |
| bored | made uninterested |
| boarder | pupil living at school |
| border | edge |
| bold | fearless |
| bowled | past tense of bowl |
| boos | expressions of disapproval |
| booze | alcolhol |
| born | brought into life |
| borne | carried |
| bough | branch of tree |
| bow | bend over |
| boy | male child |
| buoy | float |
| braid | plait |
| brayed | made a noise like a donkey |
| braise | cook on low heat |
| brays | donkey’s noises |
| brake | device to slow a machine |
| break | rupture |
| bread | eaten in loaves |
| bred | past participle of breed |
| brews | makes beer |
| bruise | skin discoloration caused by injury |
| bridal | to do with brides or weddings |
| bridle | harness for a horse’s head |
| broach | bring up difficult subject |
| brooch | ornament pinned to clothes |
| but | a conjunctin |
| butt | ram something |
| buy | purchase |
| by | next too |
| bye | farewell greeting |
| buyer | purchaser |
| byre | cowshed |
| canvas | heavy fabric |
| canvass | visit somebody to ask for something |
| cast | throw |
| caste | social grouping |
| caught | past tense of catch |
| court | meeting where legal judgments are made |
| caw | noise a bird might make |
| core | centre of apple |
| corps | military group |
| cede | surrender something |
| seed | plant part containing embryo |
| ceiling | inside top of room |
| sealing | making a tight closure |
| cell | where you keep a prisoner |
| sell | offer for purchase |
| censer | container for burning incense |
| censor | to remove objectionable material |
| sensor | detecting instrument |
| cent | one hundredth of a dollar |
| scent | a smell |
| sent | past participle of send |
| cereal | grain |
| serial | story in parts |
| cheap | not expensive |
| cheep | noise a bird might make |
| check | confirm |
| cheque | paper money substitute |
| chord | notes struck together |
| cord | string |
| cite | quote |
| sight | view |
| site | place |
| climb | ascend |
| clime | place with particular type of climate |
| coarse | rough |
| course | route |
| colonel | rank above lieutenant colonel |
| kernel | edible core |
| complement | completing part |
| compliment | statement of praise |
| coo | make sound of pigeon |
| coup | seizure of political power |
| cops | police officers |
| copse | grove of small trees |
| council | people running local affairs |
| counsel | advice |
| creak | make harsh noise |
| creek | stream |
| crews | onboard staff |
| cruise | boat trip |
| cue | prompt or reminder |
| queue | waiting line |
| curb | restrain |
| kerb | edge of pavement |
| currant | small dried grape |
| current | existing now |
| cymbal | percussion instrument |
| symbol | representation of something |
| dam | block a river |
| damn | condemn |
| days | lots of 24 hours |
| daze | confused state |
| dear | loved |
| deer | animal with antlers |
| descent | going down |
| dissent | disagreement |
| desert | abandon |
| dessert | pudding |
| deviser | one who thinks something up |
| divisor | number divided into another |
| dew | morning condensation |
| due | expected to arrive |
| die | expire |
| dye | colour |
| discreet | private |
| discrete | separate |
| doe | female deer |
| dough | uncooked bread |
| done | completed |
| dun | brownish-grey |
| draft | preliminary version |
| draught | current of cold air |
| dual | two |
| duel | a fight |
| earn | gain by one’s efforts |
| urn | vessel for hot drinks |
| eerie | unnerving |
| eyrie | eagle’s nest |
| ewe | female sheep |
| yew | type of tree |
| you | person being addressed |
| faint | pale |
| feint | deceptive move |
| fair | just |
| fare | cost of travel |
| fate | destiny |
| fête | fair |
| faun | rural Roman god |
| fawn | baby deer |
| faze | fluster somebody |
| phase | stage |
| feat | notable act |
| feet | ends of legs |
| few | not many |
| phew | expressing tiredness or relief |
| file | rub smooth |
| phial | small bottle |
| find | locate |
| fined | charged money for a wrongdoing |
| fir | type of tree |
| fur | animal’s coate |
| flair | talent |
| flare | burn suddenlty |
| flaw | blemish |
| floor | part of room to walk on |
| flea | small biting insect |
| flee | run away |
| flex | cable |
| flecks | little marks |
| flew | past tense of fly |
| flu | influenze |
| flue | chimney |
| floe | ice floating in the sea |
| flow | move freely |
| flour | ground grains |
| flower | coloured part of a plant |
| for | on behalf of |
| fore | front part |
| four | the number after 3 |
| fort | fortified position |
| fought | past tense of fight |
| forth | onward |
| fourth | the item that is number 4 in a series |
| foul | very unpleasant |
| fowl | edible or game bird |
| freeze | make solid |
| frieze | decorative band around a wall |
| friar | religious brother |
| fryer | pan for frying |
| gait | manner of walking |
| gate | opening door in fence |
| gamble | play games of chance |
| gambol | leap playfully |
| genes | basic units of heredity |
| jeans | trousers of denim |
| gild | cover in gold |
| guild | medieval trade association |
| gilt | thin layer of gold |
| guilt | responsibility for wrongdoing |
| gnaw | chew |
| nor | not this one either |
| gorilla | large ape |
| guerrilla | rebel soldier |
| grate | bars in front of fire |
| great | large |
| greys | colours of ash |
| graze | minor injury |
| grisly | horrible |
| grizzly | North American bear |
| groan | moan |
| grown | past participle of grow |
| guessed | predicted something |
| guest | somebody who receives hospitality |
| hail | pellets of ice |
| hale | fit and strong |
| hair | grows on your head |
| hare | animal like a rabbit |
| hall | large room |
| haul | drag |
| hangar | place to keep aeroplanes |
| hanger | item for suspending clothes |
| hart | male deer |
| heart | organ that beats |
| hay | dried grass |
| hey | interjection to get attention |
| heal | get well |
| heel | back of foot |
| hear | sense associated with the ears |
| here | this place |
| heard | past participle of hear |
| herd | group of animals |
| heroin | morphine based drug |
| heroine | brave woman |
| hew | cut down |
| hue | shade |
| hi | hello |
| high | opposite of low |
| higher | above something else |
| hire | employ |
| him | male not referred to by name |
| hymn | sacred song |
| hoard | store something |
| horde | large crowd |
| hoarse | sounding rough |
| horse | quadruped animal |
| holey | having holes in |
| wholly | entirely |
| hour | 60 minutes |
| our | belonging to us |
| idle | lazy |
| idol | object of adoration |
| in | opposite of out |
| inn | pub |
| jewel | gem |
| joule | unit of energy |
| key | for unlocking |
| quay | waterside platform |
| knave | cunning man |
| nave | central part of church |
| knead | work dough |
| need | require |
| knew | past participle of know |
| new | not old |
| knight | medieval soldier |
| night | dark part of the day |
| knit | interlock wool loops |
| nit | egg of louse |
| knot | way of tying |
| not | a negation |
| know | hold information in the mind |
| no | opposite of yes |
| knows | holds information in the mind |
| nose | organ for smelling |
| lain | past participle of lie |
| lane | a road |
| laps | turns around a track |
| lapse | momentary error |
| larva | immature insect |
| lava | molten rock |
| law | rule |
| lore | knowledge |
| leach | drain away |
| leech | blood-sucking worm |
| lead | soft metal |
| led | past tense of lead |
| leak | hole or crack |
| leek | edible plant |
| lessen | reduce |
| lesson | material taught |
| liar | one who tells untruths |
| lyre | stringed instrument |
| licence | the permission to do something |
| license | to permit to do something |
| lieu | place |
| loo | toilet |
| links | connection |
| lynx | wild cat |
| load | burden |
| lode | deposit of ore |
| loan | money lent |
| lone | on its own |
| loot | steal |
| lute | musical instrument |
| made | past tense of make |
| maid | female servant |
| mail | postal service |
| male | boys and men |
| main | principal |
| mane | horse’s neck hair |
| maize | corn |
| maze | labyrinth |
| mall | shopping area |
| maul | savage |
| manna | miraculous food |
| manner | way |
| mare | female horse |
| mayor | civic dignitary |
| marshal | high-ranking officer |
| martial | war-like |
| meat | flesh |
| meet | come across |
| medal | honour |
| meddle | interfere |
| metal | type of chemical element like iron |
| mettle | spirited determination |
| meter | device for measuring |
| metre | 100cm |
| might | power |
| mite | tiny 8-legged animal |
| miner | one who digs for something |
| minor | a child |
| mynah | a talking bird |
| mind | seat of thought and memory |
| mined | dug out |
| missed | didn’t hit |
| mist | light fog |
| moat | ditch filled with water |
| mote | speck |
| mode | manner |
| mowed | cut (like a lawn) |
| moor | wild area of countryside |
| more | to a greater extent |
| moose | elk |
| mousse | light food |
| morning | early in the day |
| mourning | show of sadness at death |
| muscle | body tissue producing movement |
| mussel | shellfish |
| naval | to do with ships |
| navel | tummy button |
| nay | no |
| neigh | noise a horse makes |
| none | not one |
| nun | a female member of a religious order |
| ode | lyric poem |
| owed | was indebted |
| oh | exclamation of surprise or regret |
| owe | be indebted |
| one | half of two |
| won | gained |
| packed | stuffed in |
| pact | agreement |
| pail | bucket |
| pale | light in colour |
| pain | something that hurts |
| pane | glazed part of window |
| pair | two together |
| pare | peel |
| pear | fruit |
| palate | roof of mouth |
| palette | board for artist’s paints |
| pallet | platform for loads |
| pause | stop briefly |
| paws | animals feet |
| pores | tiny openings in skin |
| pours | tips liquid out |
| peace | calm |
| piece | section |
| peak | top of mountain |
| peek | peep |
| pique | annoy |
| peal | ringing of bells |
| peel | fruit skin |
| pearl | gem of the oyster |
| purl | stitch in knitting |
| pedal | foot-operated lever |
| peddle | sell goods |
| peer | equal |
| pier | jetty |
| pi | 3.14 |
| pie | tart |
| place | area |
| plaice | type of fish |
| plain | simple and unembellished |
| plane | flat surface |
| pleas | urgent requests |
| please | give pleasure |
| plum | stone fruit |
| plumb | in true vertical position |
| pole | stick |
| poll | election |
| practice | repetition in order to improve |
| practise | to repeat something in order to improve |
| praise | say something is good |
| prays | says prayer to god |
| preys | kills other animals for food |
| principal | main |
| principle | a moral standard |
| profit | money made |
| prophet | somebody who interprets divine will |
| quarts | lots of two pints |
| quartz | a crystalline mineral |
| rain | water from the sky |
| reign | rule |
| rein | leather strap to control a horse |
| raise | lift |
| rays | light from the sun |
| raze | destroy |
| rap | tap loudly |
| wrap | cover something up |
| raw | uncooked |
| roar | long loud shout |
| read | interpret the written word |
| reed | tall water plant |
| read | interpreted the written word |
| red | colour akin to orange |
| real | genuine |
| reel | revolving storage device |
| reek | smell strongly |
| wreak | cause destruction |
| rest | take repose |
| wrest | gain control or power |
| retch | vomit |
| wretch | somebody who is pitied |
| review | examine something |
| revue | musical variety show |
| right | opposite of left |
| rite | ritual |
| write | put words on paper |
| wright | someone who makes or repairs something |
| ring | finger ornament |
| wring | twist water from something |
| road | hard track for vehicles |
| rode | past tense of ride |
| roe | fish eggs |
| row | line |
| role | part in play |
| roll | turn over and over |
| root | underground part of plant |
| route | way |
| rose | type of plant grown for its flower |
| rows | lines |
| rota | list of name and duties |
| rotor | rotating part of machine |
| rote | repetition of something so as to remember it |
| wrote | past tense of write |
| rough | not smooth |
| ruff | fancy pleated collar |
| rouse | wake |
| rows | arguments |
| rung | step of a ladder |
| wrung | twisted water from |
| rye | cereal grain |
| wry | amusing and ironic |
| saver | somebody who saves money |
| savour | enjoy something unhurriedly |
| spade | digging tool |
| spayed | of an animal |
| sale | selling of something |
| sail | fabric to catch the wind |
| sauce | liquid accompaniment to meal |
| source | origin |
| saw | toothed cutting tool |
| soar | go very high |
| sore | painful |
| scene | place where something happens |
| seen | past participle of see |
| scull | one of a pair of short oars |
| skull | head bone |
| sea | ocean |
| see | perceive with eyes |
| seam | join |
| seem | appear |
| sear | burn something |
| seer | predictor of future |
| seas | oceans |
| sees | perceives with eyes |
| seize | grab |
| sew | join with stitches |
| so | in order that |
| sow | plant seed |
| shake | move back and forth |
| sheik | Arab chief |
| shear | cut something off |
| sheer | thin and almost transparent |
| shoe | footwear |
| shoo | wave away |
| side | surface of something flat |
| sighed | breathed long and loud |
| sign | symbole |
| sine | trigonometric function for angles |
| sink | fail to float |
| sync | synchronization |
| slay | kill |
| sleigh | horse-drawn carriage on snow |
| sloe | sour blue-black fruit |
| slow | not fast |
| sole | only |
| soul | spirit |
| some | part of |
| sum | total |
| son | male offspring |
| sun | a star |
| sort | type |
| sought | looked for |
| spa | resort with mineral springs |
| spar | pole supporting rigging |
| staid | sober and steady |
| stayed | remained |
| stair | step |
| stare | look at fixedly |
| stake | money risked on a gamble |
| steak | cut of meat |
| stalk | plant stem |
| stork | bird with long legs |
| stationary | motionless |
| stationery | paper etc |
| steal | thieve |
| steel | alloy of iron and carbon |
| stile | steps in fence |
| style | manner |
| storey | floor of building |
| story | tale |
| straight | not crooked |
| strait | narrow channel joining two larger bodies of water |
| sweet | sugary |
| suite | set of matching furniture |
| swat | slap at something |
| swot | study very hard |
| tacks | small nail |
| tax | money gathered by the government |
| tale | story |
| tail | long rear part of animal’s body |
| taught | past tense of teach |
| taut | pulled tight |
| tea | hot drink |
| tee | peg for supporting golf ball |
| team | group acting together |
| teem | be full of |
| tear | water from the eyes |
| tier | row of seats |
| teas | suppers |
| tease | make fun of somebody |
| tern | seabird |
| turn | roll over |
| there | in that place |
| their | belonging to them |
| threw | past tense of throw |
| through | passing across |
| throes | pangs |
| throws | propels from the hand |
| throne | chair of monarch or bishop |
| thrown | propelled from the hand |
| thyme | a herb |
| time | period |
| tic | muscle twitch |
| tick | noise of a clock |
| tide | rise and fall of the sea |
| tied | knotted |
| tire | fatigue |
| tyre | rubber outer of wheel |
| to | towards |
| too | in excess |
| two | a pair |
| toad | wart animal |
| toed | having toes |
| towed | pulled |
| told | informed |
| tolled | rung slowly and repeatedly |
| ton | imperial unit of weight |
| tun | cask |
| tor | rocky peak |
| tore | past tense of tear |
| troop | military unit |
| troupe | group of travelling performers |
| tuba | large brass instrument |
| tuber | fleshy underground part of certain plants |
| vain | excessively proud |
| vane | device showing wind direction |
| vein | vessel carrying blood to the heart |
| vale | valley |
| veil | face or hair covering |
| vial | small glass bottle |
| vile | disgusting |
| wail | cry |
| wale | wood forming sides of ship |
| whale | large sea mammal |
| waist | body area between hips and ribs |
| waste | unwanted material |
| wait | do nothing because expecting something to happen |
| weight | heaviness |
| waive | abandon right to something |
| wave | gesture of the hand |
| war | armed fighting between groups |
| wore | past tense of wear |
| ware | goods |
| wear | put on clothes |
| where | used to indicate a place |
| warn | caution |
| worn | weakened by use |
| watt | unit of electrical power |
| what | word used to request information |
| wax | mouldable substance greasy to the touch |
| whacks | hits |
| way | direction |
| weigh | measure heaviness |
| whey | watery part of curdled milk |
| weak | opposite of strong |
| week | 7 days |
| weal | reddened area on skin |
| wheel | rotating round part |
| weather | state of atmosphere |
| whether | word used to introduce alternatives |
| wether | castrated sheep or goat |
| were | past tense of be |
| whirr | make vibrating sound |
| wet | put water on |
| whet | sharpen something |
| which | word used to ask question |
| witch | woman with magic powers |
| while | at the same time |
| wile | cunning strategy |
| whine | complain peevishly |
| wine | alcolholic drink from grapes |
| whirl | spin rapidly |
| whorl | something spiral shaped |
| whirled | spun rapidly |
| world | the earth |
| woe | unfortunate happening |
| whoa | used to order an animal to stop |
| wood | material from trees |
| would | expresses the sense of ‘will’ |
| yaw | put ship off course |
| yore | in the far distant past |
| your | belonging to you |
| yoke | animal harness |
| yolk | yellow of an egg |
| phlox | a common garden plant |
| flocks | groups of animals |
| wit | intelligence; clever humour |
| whit | a very small amount |
