Bolt

Bolt
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Are you bolting from the car, or are you bolting the door? The distinction is important: the first usage means ‘to separate by running away,’ and the second means ‘to hold together’ (such as with a bolt).

Language can be funny, check out these thesaurus jokes.

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Consult

Consult
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Consulting can mean both to give advice and to get advice. While most of us would consult a dictionary or doctor for instructions, a consultant could issue that guidance.

Custom

Custom
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A custom is a common practice or tradition shared by many people. But it can also refer to one unique item, such as a custom-made blouse.

Here are the slang words we love from 2019.

Dust

Dust
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When used as a verb rather than a noun, the word ‘dust’ has two opposite meanings: to sprinkle a fine powder over something, or to clean that object by brushing away the dust, instead.

Finished

Finished
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Finished can mean either completed or destroyed, such as in the sentence, ‘I am finished.’

Out

Out
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Used in a phrase like ‘the stars are out,’ the term means the stars are visible. But saying ‘the lights are out’ would mean they are not working, or invisible.

Discover which synonyms will make you a better writer.

Off

Off
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This is another tricky word to watch out for. ‘Off’ can mean both ‘not functioning,’ as well as ‘functioning,’ depending on how it’s used. Try this brain-busting sentence: you should turn off the alarm that is going off.

Overlook

Overlook
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Overlook can mean to monitor or supervise, but it can also mean to neglect or fail to notice. For example, a group of lawyers would not want to overlook an important detail when they overlook the proposed contract.

 

Left

Left
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Asking ‘who’s left?’ is a complicated question. It could either mean who is remaining or who has departed.

Resign

Resign
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While ‘resign’ is considered a contronym in writing, it doesn’t work if you say the word out loud. ‘Resign,’ which means ‘to quit,’ is spelled the same as ‘resign,’ which means ‘to sign up again.’ The only catch? The words have two different pronunciations.

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