As NPR podcast hosts and language experts, we regularly hear people misusing words that seem alike but mean very different things. We call them “confusables” — because they are, well, confusing.
These word pairs look or sound similar (some even sound identical), which makes it easy to mix them up. But when you use the wrong one, you risk saying something completely different than you intended, often in a professional setting where precision matters.
Here are 12 of the most commonly confused word pairs we’ve encountered — whether on social media, in the news, or during live interviews — and how to use them correctly:
1. Advice vs. advise
We see this all over social media. People ask for “advise” when they mean “advice.” Here’s our advice for them: “Advise” is a verb, not a noun. You advise someone, but you give advice.
2. Allusion vs. illusion
Even top newspapers mix these up. One article referred to a movement that can “magically create an allusion more powerful than the real thing.” Not quite. An allusion is an indirect reference; an illusion is a false perception or trick.
3. Bemused vs. amused
Bemused means puzzled, confused or deep in thought — not laughing or entertained. But it’s so often used to mean amused, some dictionaries now include that meaning.
Still, in professional settings (and because there are lots of grammar sticklers out there), stick with “amused” if that’s what you mean.
4. Copyright vs. copywrite
This one tricks a lot of people, even writers who should know better. You copyright a creative work for legal protection. “Copywrite” isn’t a real word — but copywriters write marketing materials, and copywriting is their craft.
5. Epithet vs. epitaph
We saw a news item that said a basketball player was receiving threats and that “there have been racial epitaphs included in some of these.” Not exactly.
An epitaph is an inscription in memory of someone, usually on a tombstone. An epithet is a description of a person or thing using certain qualities or characteristics they possess. Although epithets aren’t necessarily negative, they often are.
6. Flare vs. flair
We’re seeing more and more references to someone having a “dramatic flare” or “a flare for fashion.” But that’s a hot mess, because flare is most often used as both a noun or a verb to refer to something fiery, either literally (“the candle flared”) or figuratively (“the tempers flared”).
It can also mean spreading out, as in “the jeans had a flared leg.” Flair, on the other hand, is most often used to mean a special aptitude or ability.
7. Flout vs. flaunt
People often say someone is “flaunting the rules.” Unless they’re proudly showing off the rulebook, that’s wrong. But we doubt that’s what was intended.
To flout means to ignore or defy. To flaunt means to show off.
8. Imminent vs. eminent
Imminent means about to happen. Eminent means distinguished or standing out.
Some linguists believe they both trace back to Latin roots related to mountains (which makes sense since eminent things and people stand out from the crowd, and imminent things loom before us — both much like mountains). But the meanings are very different.
9. Irregardless vs. regardless
Yes, “irregardless” is in some dictionaries, but it’s still considered nonstandard English (or a word that people might use, but that isn’t considered technically correct). To be safe (and correct), stick with “regardless.”
10. Loose vs. lose
This one’s everywhere: “I could loose my mind.” That extra “o” in there is a tip-off that you’re using the wrong word.
Loose as an adjective means not tight or not fixed, among other things, and as a verb means to set free. Lose is always a verb and means to no longer have something or to be unable to find something.
11. Simplistic vs. simple
Simple is straightforward. Simplistic might sound and look like a fancy version of simply, but it often means too much simplicity — in a bad way. So if you call someone’s idea simplistic, it’s probably not a compliment.
12. Stationary vs. stationery
They sound the same, but the spelling tells the story. Stationary with an “a” means unmoving. Stationery with an “e” refers to paper goods.
So if you see an Amazon product listing like we just did for a “stationery bike,” you know that someone got a little confused … unless the bike is made of paper.
Kathy and Ross Petras are the brother-and-sister co-authors of the New York Times bestseller You’re Saying It Wrong, along with other popular language books, and co-hosts of the award-winning NPR syndicated radio show and podcast “You’re Saying It Wrong.” They’ve also been featured in media outlets including The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post and Harvard Business Review. Follow them on Bluesky.
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