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Confusing words: Veracious, Voracious, Vivacious, Vicarious, & Vociferous

 


There are some words which are very confusing. Some students often forget the meaning of these words or they 
get confused and take one word for another, as these words look very similar. 

But, a bit of care will help you differentiate these words. You can easily recall them, if you try to understand the root word for each of these. Let us learn how these words are different.

Veracious (derived from the root word VERUS means truth): truthful

Voracious (derived from the root word VORARE means to eat greedily): greedy, eating or wanting in large amount

Vivacious (derived from the root word VIVERE means to live): full of energy, full of life

Vicarious (derived from the root word VICIS means alternation, change): indirect, second hand, felt or experienced indirectly by watching or listening others, rather than through first hand experience.

Vociferous (derived from the root word VOX/ VOCI means voice): loud and confident


Usage:

- He is a veracious reporter, so you can trust his reports.

- He is a voracious eater, so you can find him eating all the time.

- You would love to read his novels, as he has a vivacious manner of writing.

- When we do not really experience anything directly, we  seek vicarious pleasure.

- The umpire gave the batsman out, as there was a vociferous appeal for lbw.

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