Confusing Words Clarified Group W
wade, weighed
wade (WAYD)
To walk through water: "It is nice to wade in the stream looking for pretty stones."
weighed (WAYD)
1. Having found out how heavy someone or something was: "Because she was dieting, she weighed two pounds less than she did the week before."
"He found out that the bananas weighed more than the pears."
2. Having thought carefully about something and formed an opinion or made a decision: "Before making a decision about buy a new car, he weighed the pros and the cons."
wafer, waiver, waver
wafer (WAY fuhr)
A thin crisp cracker: "She drank sherry and a wafer before dinner was served."
waiver (WAY vuhr)
The act of choosing not to use or to require something that is normally allowed or which is usually required: "The lawyer for the defendant asked the judge if he would allow a waiver of a jury trial."
"The teacher indicated that she would have a waiver of any final exam for that particular class."
waver (WAY vuhr)
1. To go back and forth between choices or opinions, to be uncertain about what you think about something or someone: "They will never waver in their support for their president."
"He didn't waver in his decision to retire from teaching school."
2. To become unsteady because of weakness, emotion, tiredness, etc.: "During long sermons at church my attention will sometimes waver because I am thinking about other things."
"The girl's voice seemed to waver while she was telling us about the accident."
I decided to have a glass of milk and a cheese wafer or two while my mother seemed to waver about my request to grant a waiver to my early curfew.
waffle, waffle, waffle
waffle (WAH fuhl)
A crisp cake with a pattern of deep squares on both sides that is made by cooking batter in a special device called a waffle iron: "We each had a waffle for breakfast this morning."
waffle (WAH fuhl)
To be unable or unwilling to make a clear decision about what to do: "Every time he spoke it was just one waffle after another."
waffle (WAH fuhl)
An informal British term meaning foolish or dull talk or writing that continues for a long time: "The speech was a load of waffle about politics."
Having breakfast with a politician is always interesting. So often a politician will, waffle back and forth between having pancakes for breakfast or having a waffle with syrup, all the while maintaining a dull waffle about the weather.
wage, wage
wage (WAYJ)
An amount of money that a worker is paid based on the number of hours, days, etc., that are worked: "The company was offering a competitive wage and good benefits."
wage (WAYJ)
To start and to continue a war, battle, etc., in order to get or to achieve something: "They were trying to wage a guerrilla war against the government."
"The politicians decided to wage a battle against the proposed new law."
wail, whale, whale
wail (WAYL)
To make a prolonged, high-pitched sound suggestive of a cry: "I could hear the wind wail through the trees."
whale (HWAYL, WAYL)
Any of various marine mammals of the order Cetacea, having the general shape of a fish with forelimbs modified to form flippers, a tail with horizontal flukes, and one or two blowholes for breathing; especially, one of the very large species as distinguished from the smaller dolphins and porpoises: "The whale is still sought after by certain countries for its flesh."
whale (HWAYL, WAYL)
1. To strike or to hit repeatedly and forcefully; to thrash: "She was so angry and out of control that she started to whale at her husband with her fists."
2. To attack vehemently: "The politician was on TV where you could hear him whale away at his critics."
If the biggest animal in the ocean could cry loudly, would that be considered a whale wail or even a wailing whale; especially if someone were whaling it?
waist, waste, waste
waist (WAYST)
The middle part of the body between the hips and the chest or upper back that is or may be more narrow than the areas above and below it: "These pants have an elastic waist which is too tight for him."
"This athlete has a narrow waist and broad shoulders as a result of working out so often."
waste (WAYST)
Loss of something valuable which occurs because too much of it is being used or because it is being used in a way that is not necessary or effective: "These computers are still useful. It seems to be such a waste to throw them away."
"Too much water has resulted in waste because of excessive or careless use; such as, steam, that escapes without being used or leaving the faucet on when the water is actually not being used."
waste (WAYST)
Material that is left over or unwanted after something has been made, done, used, etc.: "Waste materials may apply to hazardous waste, disposal of industrial waste, waste removal, and household waste; such as, trash, rubbish, etc."
When you are eating, if you diet, some of the food may go to waste; but, you can be sure that if you over eat, it will go to your waist.
Some people simply waste their time trying to keep their waist slim and trim.
There's an old saying that says, "Haste makes waste." Well, there are also those who believe that "Haste can reduce waists."
The man's wife told her husband that working out to reduce his waist and continuing to eat so much was turning out to be a waste of his time and money!
wait, weight
wait (WAYT)
To stay in a place until an expected event happens, until someone arrives, until it is your turn to do something, etc.: "Please wait here and I will be back in five minutes."
weight (WAYT)
1. A measurement that indicates how heavy a person or thing is: "Please write down your weight in kilos and not in pounds."
2. A heavy object that is lifted during exercising: "He lifted up a ten pound weight with his little finger!"
3. A difficult responsibility: "I had hoped I could have taken off the weight or burden from his shoulders, but I couldn't."
Weight is what a man always loses when his wife is on a diet.
Evan Esar
waive, wave
waive (WAYV)
To officially say that you will not use or require something that you are allowed to have or that is usually required: "The schools waive the costs for books for low-income students."
wave (WAYV)
1. An area of moving water that is raised above the main surface of an ocean, a lake, etc.: "There was a huge wave that almost upset the boat."
2. A usually repeated movement of your hand or of something held in your hand; especially, as a signal or greeting: "I saw her wave her hand in farewell as the train left the station."
3. A strong feeling that suddenly affects someone: "A sudden wave of fatigue overcame him after working two days without sleep."
wander, wonder
wander (WAHN duhr)
To move around without a definite destination or purpose; to meander: "You could see the old woman wander back and forth on the same street long after midnight."
wonder (WUHN duhr)
1. Someone or something that arouses awe, astonishment, surprise, or admiration; a marvel: "They gazed with wonder at the northern lights."
"My old computer is still a technological wonder."
2. To have a feeling of awe or admiration; to marvel: "We couldn't help but wonder at the beautiful display of fireworks that were being used to introduce the New Year."
wane, wax
wane (WAYN)
1. With reference to the moon, to appear to become thinner or less full: "Every month the moon will wane and then wax."
2. To become smaller or less, to decrease in size, amount, length or quality: "Her interest in buying the fancy shoes might wane when she hears how expensive they are."
wax (WAKS)
1. When referring to the moon, to appear to become larger or more full: "During the next two weeks the moon will wax and then you can see more of it."
2. To become larger or more, to increase in amount, size, etc.: "His interest in the novel seems to wax, or increase, depending on the amount of suspense there is."
3. To talk or write about something in a way that shows that you are experiencing a specified mood or feeling: "If you ask her about her holiday she will wax nostalgic about her trip to Europe."
4. A hard substance that becomes soft when it is heated and which is used to make various products; such as, candles, crayons, or polish: "After washing your car you can use car wax to protect it and make it shine!"
want, wont, won’t
want (WAHNT, WAWNT)
1. To desire or wish for something: "Do you want more tea?"
2. To need something: "Your table will want another coat of paint tomorrow."
3. The state or condition of not having any or enough of something: "She has been suffering from want of proper sleep."
wont (WAWT, WOHNT, WUHNT)
1. Likely to do something, having a tendency to do something: "She nibbled her fingers nails as she wont to do, or as she often does, when she is nervous."
2. A usual habit or way of behaving: "They all had some beer at the pub after work, as is their wont or as they usually do."
won't (WOHNT)
Will not: "She won't invite him to the party because she doesn't like him."
I’ve decided I won't invite my cousin to my party even though I know she will want to come because it is her wont to insist on singing very loudly and out of tune.
war, wore
war (WOR)
1. A state or period of fighting between countries or groups: "The colonists fought a war against England."
2. An organized effort by a government or other large organization to stop or defeat something that is viewed as dangerous or bad: "The war to delete cancer is being pursued in many countries."
wore (WOR, WOHR)
Past tense of to wear which means to use or have something as clothing: "The girl wore new shoes to school yesterday."
ware, wear, were, where
ware (WAIR)
Things which are made from a particular material or that are designed for a particular use; usually used in combination: "You can find the glassware in the cupboard in the kitchen."
wear (WAIR)
1. To use or have something as clothing, to have a shirt, pants, etc. over a part of one's body: "Will you wear your new shoes to school tomorrow?"
2. The act of using something as clothing, the act of wearing something: "These shoes are very good for everyday wear."
3. Damage that is caused by use: "The old rug in the hallway is showing signs of wear because there are so many people walking on it."
were (WUR)
Past tense, plural, and second person singular of the verb to be: "We were all ready to go when Grandma called up ."
where (HWAIR, WAIR)
1. At or in what place: "I don't know where the car keys are."
2. How or in what way: "Where or in what way can I help you?"
My friends were all ready to go but I couldn decide what to wear to the glassware party and then I just realized I don know where it is.
wares, wears
wares (WAIRZ)
Things that are being sold by someone: "He was selling his wares at the market."
wears (WAIRZ)
Present tense form, third person singular of the verb to wear; that is, to use or to have something as clothing: "She wears the same shoes to school every day."
warn, worn
warn (WORN)
To tell someone to do or not to do something in order to avoid danger or trouble: "Parents warn their children to be careful when crossing streets."
worn (WORN)
Having been affected by wear or use: "She has worn the same shoes for five years!"
wary, weary
wary (WAIR ee)
Not having or showing complete trust in someone or something that could be dangerous or which could cause trouble: "You should be wary of putting your money into questionable stocks."
weary (WIR ee)
1. Lacking, strength, energy, or freshness because of a need for rest or sleep; being very tired: "The garbage collectors were weary after working their shift."
2. Bored or annoyed by something because someone has seen it, heard it, done it, etc., many times or for a long time: "She was weary from months of washing dishes in the restaurant kitchen."
wax, whacks
wax (WAKS)
1. To put a thin layer of a protective, waterproof substance on a surface: "He wants to wax his car at least once a month."
2. To increase in amount, size, etc.: "Interest in the story seems to wax and wane depending on the news that comes afterward."
3. To talk or write about something in a way that shows that a person is experiencing a specified mood or feeling: "He likes to wax lyrical about a new product being developed which he calls Formula One" concrete."
whacks (HWAKS, WAKS)
1. To strike (someone or something) with sharp resounding blows or with great force: "He whacks through the jungle growth with his machete everyday."
2. The act of hitting someone or something with great force: "He whacks the ball around whenever he has the chance."
way, weigh, whey
way (WAY)
1. How someone or something does something, or behaves, appears, feels, etc.: "This is the way you write it."
2. The series of roads, paths, etc., that can be used to go from one place to another: "What is the shortest way to the grocery store?"
weigh (WAY)
To find how heavy someone or something is by measuring the weight of anyone or anything: "She wants to weigh herself every week because she wants to see if she is losing or gaining weight."
whey (HWAY, WAY)
The watery part of milk that forms after the milk becomes thick and sour: "During the process of making cheese the curd must be separated from the whey."
ways, weighs
ways (WAYZ)
1. A distance: "We are still a long ways from our holiday resort."
2. Often used figuratively: "We still have a long ways to go to complete this task; in other words, we still have a lot of work to do."
weighs (WAYZ)
To determine how heavy someone or something is or to measure the weight of someone or something: "Before selling the apples she weighs them to see how how much they weigh."
How many ways can I tell him that he weighs too much?
we, wee
we (WEE)
Used to refer to a speaker and another person or group of people: "When the waiter asked my sister and me what we would like to eat, we told him that we had already ordered our pizza."
wee (WEE)
Very small or very young: "I can hold this wee little kitten in my hand!"
weak, week
weak (WEEK)
1. Having little physical power or ability, not strong: "After being sick and in bed for two weeks she was very weak and couldn't go to work."
2. Lacking enough or the usual amount of an important ingredient: "The tea you made is quite weak."
week (WEEK)
1. A period of seven days: "The week in the U.S. usually starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday and in Britain, Germany, and several other countries, it usually begins on Monday and ends on Sunday."
"Renting the car by the week over a long period can cost a lot of money."
Weak is what a man is when a pretty girl is telling him how strong he is.
Evan Esar
weal, we'll
weal (WEEL)
1. A state of being happy, healthy, and successful; well-being: "They are working on a project to improve the common weal."
2. Usually a reddish bump or bruise on the skin: "The weal on her arm seemed to be getting worse so she went to see the doctor."
we'll (WEEL)
A contraction of we will: "I think we'll see them at the movies tonight."
wealth, wealth
wealth (WELTH)
1. A large amount of money and possessions: "She came from a family that had acquired great wealth in money and commercial property."
2. The value of all the property, possessions, and money that someone has: "His personal wealth is estimated to be in the billions."
wealth (WELTH)
A significant amount or number of something besides money, property, or other possessions: "We all should be very happy about the wealth of information that the internet has to offer via our computers."
"There is a wealth of doubt that they can achieve their objectives."
weather, whether
weather (WETH uhr)
The state of the air and atmosphere at a particular time and place: "We listened to the weather forecast this morning on the radio."
whether (HWETH uhr, WETH uhr)
1. An indication if something is or was true: "Did you ask them whether they would be staying home tonight?"
2. Used to indicate choices or possibilities: "It doesn't matter whether you buy it with Dollars or Euros in this store."
When Sally spelled weather "wethir",
The teacher said, "Ah, my dear,
That's just about the worst spell of weather
We've had around here for years."
Don't knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while.
Ben Hubbard
Whether you know it or not, weathermen are never wrong. It's the weather that's wrong.
McKinzie
weave, we've
weave (WEEV)
1. To make something; such as, cloth by crossing threads or other long pieces of material over and under each other: "She loved to weave bright cloth on her loom."
2. To move from side to side while going forward; especially, in order to avoid the people or things that are in front of someone: "He had to carefully weave the car through the traffic at the scene of the accident."
we've (WEEV)
A contraction of we have: "We've seen this movie two times already."
weed, we'd
weed (WEED)
1. A plant that grows very quickly where it is not wanted and covers or kills more desirable plants: "I guess I missed pulling this weed in the garden."
2. To remove weeds from an area of land; such as, a garden: "The gardener needs to weed this section of the garden."
we'd (WEED)
Contractions of we had or we would: "We'd better get going or we'll be late even though we'd rather stay home."
"We'd love to have you stay over another night."
If there were very many wild plants growing in the yard, then we'd have to weed them out.
weld, welled
weld (WELD)
1. To join pieces of metal together by heating the edges until they begin to melt and then pressing them together: "He had to weld the metal parts in order to repair the car."
2. To join or bring people or things close together: "Do they want to weld their friendship that close together after all that has happened?"
welled (WELD)
1. Raised to the surface, made ready to flow: "Tears welled in her eyes at the funeral of her son."
2. Raised or surged from an inner source: "Anger welled up in our neighbor when he heard about the increases of the costs he would have to pay for the completion of his house."
welt, wilt
welt (WELT)
Usually a large bump or red area that appears on a person's skin because of injury or illness: "You should go to the doctor because that welt looks worse today."
wilt (WILT)
1. When plants bend over because of not having enough water: "Hot weather may wilt the roses if you don't water them."
2. To become tired often as the result of hot weather: "If I don sit in the shade, I am going to wilt in this heat."
wench, winch, wince
wench (WENCH)
A young woman; especially, a young woman who is a servant: "This story is about a wench who worked in the king's castle."
winch (WINCH)
A machine that has a rope or chain and that is used for pulling or lifting heavy things: "The truck must have a winch in order to tow this wreck."
wince (WINS)
To have an expression on one's face for a very short time which shows that that person is embarrassed or in pain: "Just about everyone will grimace or wince in pain if he/she hits his/her elbow or funny bone by accident."
wet, whet
wet (WET)
1. Covered or soaked with water or another liquid; not dry: "I just washed my hair so it is quite wet."
2. Having a lot of rain: "It has been a cold, windy, and wet morning."
whet (HWET, WET)
To make something; such as, a person's appetite or curiosity sharper or stronger: "You certainly whet my curiosity by leaving out the climax of the story!"
wheal, wheel
wheal (HWEEL, WEEL)
A ridge or mark raised on the skin by or as if by a stroke of a whip: "The poor horse had suffered too much by the wheal which was inflicted on it by its dreadful owner."
wheel (HWEEL, WEEL)
1. One of the round parts underneath a car, wagon, etc., that rolls and allows something to move: "I couldn't go by bike to the store because one wheel had to be repaired."
2. To move someone or something on a vehicle that has wheels: "The medical attendant had to wheel the patient into the operating room."
which, witch
which (HWICH, WICH)
1. Used to indicate what is being shown, pointed to, or mentioned: "Which one of those two cars should I buy?"
2. Used to introduce an additional statement about something that has already been mentioned: "Our old car, which we bought ten years ago, is still going strong!"
witch (WICH)
1. A woman who is thought to have magical powers: "In the story Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a witch tried to poison Snow White."
2. A very unpleasant woman: "He said that his mother-in-law was an old witch who was always criticizing."
while, wile
while (HWIGHL, WIGHL)
1. During the time that something was going on: "I washed the dishes for you while you were out shopping."
2. A period of time: "It took him a long time or quite a while to find out what was wrong with the computer."
wile (WIGHL)
1. To pass (time) agreeably: "She used to wile away her time before she started her job."
2. A deceitful stratagem or trick: "The wile she played on me ruined our friendship."
whine, wine
whine (HWIGHN, WIGHN)
1. To complain in an annoying way: "They always whine about having too much work."
2. To make a high, crying sound: "The cat will always whine when it wants something to eat!"
3. A high and unpleasant sound that continues for a long time: "The whine of the jet passing overhead stopped the classroom lesson because it was just too loud."
wine (WIGHN)
An alcoholic drink made from the juice of grapes: "We had a glass of red wine to celebrate the occasion."
When grape alcohol turns out to be bad, you will hear a lot of wine whine from those who grew the grapes and produced the drink.
whirl, whorl
whirl (HWURL, WURL)
1. To move or to go in a circle or curve, especially with force or speed: "The electric cars would whirl around in the toy track."
2. To turn rapidly in circles: "This new washing machine can whirl clothes at a terrific speed!"
3. Something that is turning quickly in circles: "A whirl of dust was caught in the draft coming in from outside."
whorl (HWORL, WORL)
1. Something that turns or goes around in a circle: "There was a whorl of water going down the drain in the bathtub."
2. A pattern that is made by a series of circles that turn around a central point: "The whorl of the suspect's finger print identified him as the criminal."
whit, wit
whit (HWIT, WIT)
1. The smallest of particles: "He didn't care a whit about the money."
2. The smallest imaginable degree or amount: "I don't care a whit whether they succeed or fail."
"He's not a whit smarter."
wit (WIT)
1. Intellectual brilliance: "His book is a collection of his wit and wisdom."
2. Astuteness of perception: "She had the wit to leave before the situation became any worse."
whither, wither, withers
whither (HWITH uhr, WITH uhr)
To which specified place or position: "Whither are you going today, my lovely princess?."
wither (WITH uhr, WITH uhr)
1. To dry up or to shrivel from or as if from loss of moisture: "If you forget to water the plants on the balcony they will wither away and die."
2. When plants become dry and weak: "These tomato plants will wither and die if they don't get enough water."
3. Used figuratively: "Our hopes of going to Ireland this summer seem to wither with the passing of each week."
withers (WITH uhrz)
The ridge between the shoulder bones of a horse: "This horse seems to be very high, standing six feet at the withers."
who's, whose
who's (HOOZ)
A contraction of who is or who has: "Who's [who is] in charge of this business?"
"She is a student who's [who has] always been interested in learning more words."
whose (HOOZ)
1. Used in questions to ask who owns something, has something, etc.: "Whose suitcase is this?"
"I wonder whose story was chosen in the literary contest?"
2. Used to show which person or thing a person is talking about: "The literary prize will go to the writer whose story shows the most imagination."
3. Applied to give more information about a person or thing that has already been mentioned: "My friend, whose brother is an author, had many suggestions as to how I can get my book published."
who, whom
who (HOO)
1. Used when you do not know the name or identity of a person or group of people that you are talking about or asking about: "Who is is the man that she's talking to?"
2. Used after a noun or pronoun to show which group of people someone is talking about: "Children who are interested in joining the play group should come tomorrow."
3. Used to introduce an additional statement about someone who has already been mentioned: "The neighbor, who lives next door, takes care of the house when they are on holiday."
whom (HOOM)
The objective case of who, used in formal writing or speech: "To whom am I speaking?"
"His sister, with whom he is very close, works for another business."
Whom is a more formal word than who and is not commonly used in ordinary speech and writing, where it can seem awkward and unnatural."
whoa (s), whoas (pl); woe (s), woes (pl)
whoa, whoas (HWOH, WOH; WOHZ)
1. Used to command a horse to stop moving: "Whoa! I need to get down."
"You could hear the wagon driver yelling whoas to his horses because they were running in a panic as they pulled the four-wheeler across the field."
2. Used to tell someone to slow down or stop and think about something: "Whoa. Now which way should we continue?"
3. Used to show that someone is surprised or impressed: "Whoa, that is really a neat cell phone!"
woe, woes (WOH; WOHZ)
1. A feeling of great pain or sadness: "The mother listened to her child's tale of woe, or sad story."
2. Problems or troubles: "Her financial woes are well known at the bank."
3. Used as a warning that there will be trouble if someone does something specified [old-fashioned]: "Woe to any student who comes late to that language lesson because he or she will really be in trouble."
widow, widower
widow (WID oh)
A woman whose husband has died: "As a widow she had to wear black as it was the custom of the country."
widower (WID oh uhr)
A man whose wife has died: "In the beginning, living alone as a widower without his wife was very difficult for him."
wiggle, wriggle
wiggle (WIG uhl)
To move up and down or from side to side with short quick motions: "The little puppy could wiggle its tail with glee."
wriggle (RIG uhl)
To twist from side to side with small quick movements like a worm: "The children used to wriggle in their seats at school when the lesson became boring."
will, will, will
will (WIL)
Applied to say that something is expected to happen in the future: "He will definitely leave tomorrow morning."
"They will continue with the project, and they will complete it!"
will (WIL)
A legal testament, or document, in which a person states who should receive his or her possessions after his or her death: "In his will he stated that he wanted all of his property to go to his sister."
will (WIL)
To cause or to try to cause something to happen by using the power of one's mind: "She was trying to will herself to fall asleep."
wind, wind, wined
wind (WIND)
1. Moving air; especially, a natural and perceptible movement of air parallel to or along the ground: "There was so much wind that it blew our hats away!."
2. A movement of air generated artificially, as by a bellows or a fan: "We had the fan on to make some wind in our very hot and humid room."
wind (WIGHD)
1. To proceed on one's way with a curving or twisting course: "It was necessary to quickly wind our way down the mountain before it got too dark."
2. To coil the spring of a mechanism by turning a stem or cord: "She had to wind her old-fashioned watch every day or it would not keep time."
wined (WIGHN'd)
An occasion that was provided with or entertained with wine: "For his special birthday, he wined and dined his guests."
While sailing on the weekend, we had a strong wind and had a problem trying to wind the sail; however, later we were wined and dined when the situation was much calmer.
wishful, wistful
wishful (WISH fuhl)
Having or expressing a wish or longing for something to happen or succeed even though it is not likely to happen or to succeed: "She often had wishful hopes that she could change her husband's bad habits."
"The idea that the enemy will immediately surrender is nothing more than wishful thinking.
wistful (WIST fuhl)
Having or showing sad thoughts and feelings about something that someone wants to have or to do and especially about something that made that person happy in the past: "She had a wistful look on her face and then she asked, 'Do you remember when we used to go to the old playground at our elementary school?'."
A Fishy Tale
They always say the fish they caught
Last year were twice the size,
And make a big production of
Their rods and lures and flies.
They tell the tallest tales, it seems,
Straight-faced and without blinking:
It's not exactly lies, you know,
But rather fishful thinking.
Barriet Cooper
The wishful thinker often ends up being in a wistful condition.
The wishful thinker often ends up being in a wistful condition.
wood, would
wood (WOOD)
1. The hard substance that makes up the stems and branches of trees and shrubs: "We always keep wood cut and ready for the fireplace."
2. An area of land covered with many trees: "Our house is close to a wood area or forest."
would (WOOD)
1. Used to indicate what someone said or thought about what was going to happen or be done: "He said he would help me with my report by typing some of it, too."
2. Used to express a wish: "I wish she would write more often."
3. Used to say that you are willing to do something: "I would be more than happy to help you."
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
worst, wurst
worst (WURST)
1. Most inferior, as in quality, condition, or effect: "This is the worst film I've ever seen."
2. Being furthest from an ideal or a standard; least desirable or satisfactory: "At worst, you won't lose your driver's license, but you will have to pay a fine."
wurst (WURST, WOORST)
A sausage made in Germany and Austria; especially, a large sausage intended to be sliced and eaten cold; sausage of any kind: "The most basic wurst consists of meat, cut into pieces or ground up, and filled into a casing; while the meat may be from any animal, it traditionally is pork, beef, or veal."
Worst comes to Wurst is a headline appearing on the cover of the Smithsonian magazine for January, 2010.
The article title says, "Wurst Case Scenario, as Germans turn to American-style supermarkets, the local butcher’s fixture in their sausage-happy culture’s packing it in" by Andrew D. Blechman, page 73.
wound, wound
wound (WOOND)
1. An injury, especially one in which the skin or another external surface is torn, pierced, cut, or otherwise broken: "The auto accident left a wound in his thigh that caused pain for several years."
2. A feeling of sadness, anger, etc., which is caused by something bad that has happened to a person: "The mother's scorn and criticism left a wound in her son that never healed."
wound (WAUND)
1. To have wrapped, encircled, entwined around a center or another object once or repeatedly: "He wound the string around a spool."
2. An object that has been wrapped or encircled in a series of coils; entwined: "The doctor wound her injured leg with a bandage."
"The seamstress wound the waist of the gown with lace and ribbons."
The bandage was wound around the wound on her leg.
wrangle, wrangle
wrangle (RANG guhl), verb
1. To argue angrily with someone: "You could easily hear the couple wrangle over the money that he wanted to spend on the next trip."
2. An informal expression in the U.S. meaning to get something by a clever manipulation or by persuading someone: "His sister was able to wrangle two tickets to the concert for Saturday evening."
3. In the U.S., to control and to care for horses, cattle, etc. on a ranch: "He spent last year learning how to wrangle horses."
wrangle (RANG guhl), noun
A dispute that lasts for a long time: "There has been a wrangle in the U.S. Congress about a government run public option health-care bill for more than a year."
How much wrangling will politicians wrangle in order to wrangle a re-election?
wreak, wreck
wreak (REEK)
1. To cause something very harmful or damaging: "The devastation that alcoholism can wreak upon families is difficult to describe."
2. To inflict revenge or punishment on someone: "She swore to wreak vengeance on them for all the cruel things they did to her."
wreck (REK)
1. A vehicle, boat, airplane, etc., which has been badly damaged or destroyed: "Fire fighters pulled her from the car wreck."
2. Something shattered, destroyed, or dilapidated: "Our house was a complete wreck after the hurricane struck."
3. A person who is physically or mentally broken down or worn out: "The stress of her final exams turned her into a wreck."
Wreak is easily confused with wreck, perhaps because the wreaking of damage may leave a wreck or maybe because the differences in spelling must be given special attention.
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