Does your dog like to bark or barque? Is the deserted land baron or barren? Do they add basal or basil to Italian seasoning? There is a ham cooking. Will you baste it or will you based it? Does your dog like to bask or basque in the sun?
willow’s bark, wikimedia commons
bark, barque
A bark is either the outer covering of a tree or the sharp, explosive cry of a dog.
My dog’s bark is so much worse than her bite.
A barque is any type of small sailing vessel.
Despite the warnings of the captain, the barque was overloaded with passengers.
baron, barren
A baron is a member of the lowest order of British nobility. It is also a member of foreign nobility.
The baron’s wedding will take place tomorrow afternoon.
Barren means unable to produce young. It also means bleak and lifeless.
In the barren land, no vegetation of any kind could be seen.
baroness, barrenness
A baroness is the wife of a baron. It is also a female who holds the baronial title herself.
Once she is married to the baron, she will become a baroness.
Barrenness is sterility.
The queen’s barrenness caused her to worry about an heir.
basil, wikimedia commons
basal, basil
Basal means basic or fundamental.
Marianne was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma.
Basil is a garden herb whose leaves are used for flavoring certain dishes.
The cook bought some fresh basil from the vendor.
base, bass, bass
Base has many meanings, one of which is the bottom layer or coating.
The painter’s apprentice applied the base coat of paint to the house.
A bass voice or a bass instrument has a very low range or pitch.
Johnny is learning to play the bass guitar.
A bass is an edible fish. The word “bass” that is a fish has a different pronunciation than the “bass” that is an instrument or voice.
Mark caught six bass on his fishing trip.
based, baste
Based tells where something is grounded or headquartered.
The editing business is based in New York.
Baste means to sew with very loose stitches. It also means to moisten with liquid, especially when you are cooking.
Will you baste the ham?
group of striped bass, wikipedia
bases, basis, basses
Bases means more than one base.
It’s near the end of the inning, and all bases are loaded.
Basis means the bottom or base of something, or the basic ingredient.
These ornate legs will be used as the basis of our table.
Basses means more than one person with low voices, or more than one instrument that makes low tones.
Ten more basses wish to join the choir.
Basses are also palm fibers.
The mat was woven out of basses.
Basses can also be used when referring to two or more species of bass but not when referring to one or more bass of the same species. In that case, the plural is “bass.”
On his fishing trip, he caught five bass.
each in Basque Country, France
bask, basque, Basque
Bask means to lay in the sunshine and soak up its warmth.
My dogs and cats love to bask.
A basque is a close-fitting bodice.
The actress had trouble finding a basque to fit her petite frame.
When capitalized, Basque refers to one of a people of unknown origin inhabiting the wester Pyrenees regions in France and Spain. It also refers the language they speak which is which is not known to be related to any other language.
She took a vacation to the Basque region of France.
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I love it when you do posts on confusing words! Keep em coming.