Commonly confused words

rational vs rationale

Rational is an adjective: based on reason, sensible — a rational decision. Rationale is a noun: the set of rea...

raucous vs ruckus

Raucous is an adjective describing something harsh and loud — raucous laughter, a raucous crowd. Ruckus is a n...

realise vs realize

There is no difference in meaning: these are two spellings of one word. Realize is standard in American Englis...

realty vs real estate

They mean essentially the same thing — land and whatever is permanently attached to it. Real estate is the sta...

rebirth vs reincarnation

Reincarnation specifically means a soul or self being born again in a new body. Rebirth is the wider word: it...

rebut vs refute

To rebut is to argue against a claim. To refute is to disprove it — to show conclusively that it is false. Ref...

recourse vs resource

Recourse is turning to something for help, especially a legal remedy — no recourse to the courts. A resource i...

reference vs preference

A reference is a mention of something, a source cited, or a statement about a person's character and ability....

refuge vs refugee

Refuge is the shelter itself — protection from danger, or the place that provides it: "They took refuge in a c...

regretful vs regrettable

Regretful describes a person feeling regret — she was regretful about the decision. Regrettable describes the...

reign vs rein

Reign means to rule as a monarch. A rein is a strap used to control a horse. The correct phrase is free rein —...

reindeer vs deer

Deer is the family; reindeer is one species within it. What distinguishes reindeer is that both sexes grow ant...

reliable vs dependable

They are near-synonyms and interchangeable in most sentences. The slight lean: reliable emphasises consistent...

renovation vs remodel

Renovation restores what is already there — repairing, refinishing, bringing it back to good condition. Remode...

renown vs renowned

Renown is a noun: fame or high reputation — "a writer of great renown". Renowned is the adjective: famous — "a...

requisite vs prerequisite

Requisite means required or necessary for something: "the requisite experience." Prerequisite means required b...

reserve vs preserve

Reserve is to set aside or book for later — <em>reserve a table</em>. Preserve is to keep safe from harm or de...

residential vs presidential

Residential relates to housing — where people live. Presidential relates to a president. <em>A residential str...

respectfully vs respectively

Respectfully means with respect — I respectfully disagree. Respectively means taking each in the order already...

restroom vs bathroom

Restroom is chiefly American and means a public toilet — in a restaurant, airport or office. Bathroom literall...

retail vs wholesale

Retail is selling to the end user, usually one item at a time and at the highest price in the chain — "the jac...

reticent vs reluctant

Reticent means reserved about speaking — holding back what you think or feel. Reluctant means unwilling to do...

revenue vs revenge

Revenue is income — the money a business or government takes in. Revenge is harm done in return for a wrong. <...

review vs revue

A review is an assessment — a book review, a performance review, or to look at something again. A revue is a t...