There are millions of words in English; in such case, people often misunderstand words and phrases. Poor hearing or comprehension may be blamed for this. Informal speech can also facilitate this misunderstanding of words. Conveyance of the right sense is very important during communication.
Therefore, we have prepared a list of some common English words that are commonly misunderstood by people.
Travesty
Misunderstood meaning – A tragedy or an unfortunate thing
What it really means – A mockery or parody
You might have heard people calling 9/11 a travesty, but the truth is that it was a tragedy. A travesty is actually a mockery or parody.
Ultimate
Misunderstood meaning – The only, the best
What it really means – The Last item on the list
This word is misused by many people for countless times. People often use it to refer the best thing to the list. However, the word simply means the last one or last option.
Bemused
Misunderstood meaning – Amused
What it really means – Confused or perplexed
Due to the similarity in pronunciation amused and bemused are often mistaken for their meaning. However, if we come close to meaning, they are poles apart. If you are bemused, then you are actually perplexed.
Nauseous
Misunderstood meaning – To feel sick
What it really means – To cause feeling of sickness
It is another most commonly misunderstood word. If you actually feel ill, then you are nauseated. However, the object that makes you feel ill is nauseous. For example, if a person sitting next to you is smoking and the smoke makes you feel sick, you are nauseated, but the smoke is nauseous.
Redundant
Misunderstood meaning – Repetitive
What it really means – Unnecessarily excessive
You may go wrong with the use of this word, however, unintentionally use it right. If you repeat something for a score of times, it becomes redundant. Here, redundant become more than just repeating things over and over. In the same manner, if there is too much of something, it becomes redundant.
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