Confusable words

Some English words appear to be similar, but they have different meanings.
Here are some of them:
Valuable / invaluable
‘Valuable’ means ‘worth a lot of money.’
Thelma’s most valuable belongings were locked in a safe.
‘Invaluable’ means ‘extremely useful.’
The internet is an invaluable source of information.
Venal / venial
‘Venal’ means ‘willing to use power and influence in a dishonest way in return for money,’as in venal politicians.
A ‘venial’ fault or mistake is not very serious and can be forgiven, as in a venial sin.’
Vendetta / feud
A vendetta is a situation in which one person or group tries for a long time to harm another person.
Ben was a victim of a political vendetta.
A feud is an angry and often violent quarrel between two people or groups that continue for a long time, as in a feud between rival drug organisations.
Veracious / voracious
‘Veracious’ means ‘habitually truthful and careful with facts.’
‘Voracious’ means ‘greedy, rapacious, or insatiable.’
Children can have voracious appetites.
Veracity / truth
‘Veracity’ is the fact of being true or correct.
Have you checked the veracity of his allegations?
‘Truth’ means ‘true facts about something, rather than what is untrue, imagined, or guessed.’
How do I know you’re telling me the truth?
Viable / workable
A viable plan, idea or method can work successfully.
The committee came forward with a viable solution.
A workable system or plan will be practical and effective.
We were given a workable timetable.
Vicious / viscous
‘Vicious’ means ‘violent and cruel in a way that hurts someone physically.’
Keep away from the dog, it can be vicious.
A viscous liquid is thick and sticky and does not flow easily.
As the liquid cools, it becomes viscous.
Visible / visual
Something that is visible can be seen.
The outline of the mountains was clearly visible.
‘Visual’ means ‘relating to seeing.’
Artists translate their ideas into visual images.
Vocation / avocation
A vocation is the feeling that the purpose of your life is to do a particular type of work, especially because it allows you to help other people.
John has a vocation for teaching.
An avocation is a diversion from a person’s regular employment – a hobby or a part-time job.
Voodoo / hoodoo
‘Voodoo’ means ‘magical beliefs and practices used as a form of religion, especially by people in Haiti.’
A hoodoo is something or someone that brings bad luck.
Waive / wave
‘Waive’ means ‘to state officially that a right or rule can be ignored.’
The accused waived his right to a lawyer.
A wave is a line of raised water that moves across the surface of the sea.
Waste / wastage
If something goes to waste, it is not used.
Don’t let all this food go to waste.
‘Wastage’ means ‘when something is lost or destroyed, especially in a way that is not useful or reasonable.’
The system used to result in a great deal of food wastage.
Weep / cry
Weep’ means ‘to cry, especially because you feel very sad.’
Amanda broke down and wept when her mother died.
‘Cry’ means ‘to produce tears from your eyes, usually because you are unhappy or hurt,’
She could hear him crying for his mother.
Wet / whet
‘Wet’ means ‘covered in or full of water or another liquid.’
Your shirt is still wet.
If an experience whets your appetite for something, it increases your desire for it.
The smell of cooking whetted my appetite.
Whatever / whatsoever
‘Whatever’ means ‘any or all of the things that are wanted or needed.’
Help yourself to whatever you need.
‘Whatsoever’ emphasizes a negative statement.
Rex had no luck whatsoever.
While / awhile
‘While’ means ‘during the time something is happening.’
They arrived while we were having dinner.
‘Awhile’ means ‘a short while.’
We waited awhile.
Whose / who’s
The word ‘whose’ is always related to possession.
Whose pen is this?
‘Who’s’ is an abbreviation of ‘who is.’
Who’s knocking at the door?