collins cobuild

What’s the difference between loose and lose?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused: loose and lose. loose Loose /luːs/ is an adjective. It means `not firmly fixed’, or `not tight’. The handle is loose. Mary wore loose clothes. lose Lose /luːz/ is a verb. If you lose something, you cannot find it,… Read More

What’s the difference between bass and base?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused: bass and base. bass A bass saxophone, guitar, or other musical instrument is one that has a lower range of notes than other instruments of its kind. The vocalist had been joined by the lead… Read More

What’s the difference between sting and bite?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused: sting and bite. sting function playAudio(url) { new Audio(url).play(); } Sting is usually a verb. Its past tense and past participle is stung. If a creature such as a bee, wasp, or… Read More

What’s the difference between illness and disease?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused: illness and disease. illness function playAudio(url) { new Audio(url).play(); } If you have an illness, there is something wrong with your health. An illness can last for a long time or a short time, and its effects… Read More

What’s the difference between cloakroom and checkroom?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused: cloakroom and checkroom. cloakroom function playAudio(url) { new Audio(url).play(); }  In British and American English, a cloakroom is a room where you leave your hat and coat, especially in a place… Read More

What’s the difference between cook and cooker?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused: cook and cooker. cook A cook is a person whose job is to prepare and cook food, especially in someone’s home or in an institution. They had a butler, a cook, and a maid.  You can also… Read More

What’s the difference between announcement and advertisement?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused: announcement and advertisement. announcement An announcement is a public statement giving information about something. The government made a public announcement about the progress of the talks. The announcement gave details of… Read More

What’s the difference between anniversary and birthday?

This week we are looking at two words which are sometimes confused: anniversary and birthday. anniversary An anniversary is a date when you remember something special that happened on that date in an earlier year. It’s our wedding anniversary today. They celebrated… Read More

What’s the difference between boot and trunk?

This week we are looking at some words which can be used differently in British and American English: boot and trunk. boot In British English, the boot of a car is the covered space, usually at the back, where you put things such as… Read More