Commonly confused words

complex vs complicated

Complex describes something made of many interconnected parts, where the connections matter: "a complex ecosys...

complicit vs complacent

Complicit means being involved in wrongdoing, usually by helping or by knowingly allowing it. Complacent means...

compliment vs complement

A compliment with an I is an expression of praise. A complement with an E completes something or pairs well wi...

compose vs comprise

The whole comprises its parts: "the book comprises twelve chapters." The parts compose the whole: "twelve chap...

concert vs concept

A concert is a live musical performance. A concept is an idea — an abstract notion formed in the mind. <em>A c...

condor vs vulture

A condor is a vulture. The name applies to the two largest New World vultures: the Andean condor and the Calif...

confidant vs confident

A confidant is a person you confide in — a trusted friend who hears your secrets. Confident is an adjective me...

confused vs confusing

Confused describes the person having the feeling: "I'm confused by these instructions." Confusing describes th...

conscience vs conscious

<em>Conscience</em> is a noun: your internal sense of right and wrong. "His conscience wouldn't let him keep t...

consent vs content

Consent is agreement or permission — to consent is to agree. Content is what something contains, or as an adje...

consignor vs consignee

The consignor sends the goods; the consignee receives them. The -or ending marks the sender, the -ee ending th...

contact vs contract

Contact is touch or communication — <em>eye contact</em>, <em>get in contact</em>. Contract is a binding agree...

contemporary vs temporary

Temporary means lasting only a short time: "a temporary fix until the plumber comes." Contemporary means belon...

content vs context

Content is what something contains, or as an adjective, satisfied. Context is the surrounding circumstances or...

contiguous vs continuous

Contiguous means sharing a border or touching: the contiguous United States are the 48 states that adjoin each...

continual vs continuous

Continual means happening repeatedly with breaks between — continual interruptions come again and again. Conti...

continually vs continuously

Continuously means without a break — "the pump ran continuously for six days". Continually means repeatedly, w...

contract vs contrast

A contract is a binding agreement; to contract is to shrink or to catch an illness. A contrast is a clear diff...

contusion vs abrasion

A contusion is a bruise: the skin stays intact while blood vessels beneath it break. An abrasion is a graze: t...

convince vs persuade

To convince is to change what someone believes. To persuade is to move them to do something. You can convince...

corroborate vs collaborate

To corroborate is to confirm something with supporting evidence — a second witness corroborates the first acco...

cosmonaut vs astronaut

They mean the same thing and differ by programme. Astronaut is used by NASA, ESA and most Western agencies; co...

council vs counsel

A council is a body of people who meet to decide things: "The city council voted to close the road." Counsel i...

courage vs bravery

Close synonyms, with a difference of emphasis. Bravery is usually about facing physical danger without showing...