Confusing Words from Acetic to Affusion

If someone asks a lot of questions, is he acquisitive or inquisitive? Which of these words means good-bye - a deux, adieu, or ado? When you offer someone an opinion of what she should do, are you offering advice or advise? If you have an abundance, do you have an affluence or an effluence? Learn about these and other confusing words in this article.


acetic, acidic, ascetic, aseptic
Acetic pertains to vinegar.
The acetic solution was used to mop the floors.
If something is acidic, it contains acid.
The acidic solution thrown in her face blinded her.
An ascetic lives an extremely self-disciplined life, does not indulge in things for comfort and pleasure, but rather spends time in contemplation.
A monk is an ascetic.
Aseptic means free from germs.
It is not always healthy to live in an aseptic environment.

acquisitive, inquisitive
If a person is acquisitive, he seeks to have money and possessions, often in a greedy manner.
The acquisitive burglar would only rob houses from the rich part of town.
Inquisitive means curious, sometime nosy.
Muffin's inquisitive nature ended up causing her to be trapped upside down in the closet between the water heater and the wall.

a deux, adieu, ado
A deux is a French word that means of or for two individuals.
Miriam's longing was to once again dine a deux with her husband, but their seven children made that an impossibility.
Adieu is another French word that means good-bye.
Adieu, adieu, parting is such sweet sorrow.
Ado is a great deal of fuss and noise.
Much ado was raised over the decision to install a stopping light at the intersection.

adherence, adherents
Adherence is the act of sticking firmly to something, whether it is a belief or a picture sticking to a wall.
Peter's adherence to what Jesus Christ taught caused the officials to demand his death.
Adherents are followers.
Peter, Andrew, James the Greater, James the Lesser, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, Thaddeus (Jude), Simon and Judas Iscariot were adherents of Jesus Christ.

adherend, adherent
An adherend is one substance stuck to another by an adhesive.
The surface of the counter was to be used as an adherend in the science project.
An adherent is a follower.
After living in the Orient for many, many years, Jeanine became an adherent of Buddha.

adventuress, adventurous
An adventuress is a female adventurer.
Marla had always been a tomboy, therefore it was no surprise when she became a famous adventuress.
Adventurous means full of risk, hazardous, or full of adventure.
The adventurous run down the ski slope left Andrea wanting to ski it again.

adverse, averse
Adverse means opposite, opposing, or unfavorable.
The adverse criticism left Melody wondering whether or not she should choose another career.
Averse means having a strong feeling of repugnance or opposition.
After watching her mom struggle with an addiction to pain medications, Julia was averse to taking medication of any kind.

advice, advise
Advice is a recommendation given to try and help one through a troubling situation.
Charla asked her best friend's advice on whether or not she should continue dating Derrick.
When you advise someone, you give counsel to them or offer an opinion.
Patricia longed for someone who knew what the situation was to advise her.

afferent, efferent
Afferent means leading to an organ or part of an organ.
The afferent nerves of her kidneys are seriously damaged.
Efferent means away from an organ or part of an organ.
The efferent nerves of her lungs are undamaged.

affinity, infinity
Affinity is a natural strong attraction between people or a strong attraction to certain things.
Mark and Debra's loving relationship was a great example of affinity for all to see.
Infinity is unlimited space, time, or disance.
“Our love will last for an infinity,” Mark said as he looked deep into Debra's eyes.

affluence, effluence
Affluence means abundance.
Because of the abundance of fans the new author had, she received an affluence of money for her new book before it was even published.
Effluence is the act of process of flowing out.
The effluence of nasty language on prime-time television is unbelievable.

affluent, effluent
Affluent means wealthy.
Tabitha is searching for an affluent husband so she can keep living in the manner to which she has grown accustomed.
An effluent is something that flows out.
Huge barrels were set up to catch the effluent from the fish farms.

affront, effrontery
An affront is an offensive act or word.
Lenore took his response as an affront to her reputation.
Effrontery is disrespectful boldness.
Marlene was shocked at the effrontery of her date when he demanded a table immediately at the obviously full restaurant.

affusion, effusion
Affusion is the act of pouring of water or some other liquid on something.
The affusion of cream of mushroom soup on the roast before putting it in the pressure cooker will make it tender.
Effusion is unrestrained expression.
Kiel's habitual violent effusions doomed the marriage from day one.