Many people think that llamas and alpacas are two names for the same animal. Just like they believe that the words mint and peppermint are synonyms. But, in reality, each of these terms has its own individual meaning. The following words are commonly used interchangeably even though they actually have different meanings – take notes to avoid misusing them again in the future!
Llama & Alpaca
Contrary to popular belief, llamas and alpacas are completely different animals. Llamas are bigger and taller, have a longer face with a larger muzzle, and have longer ears than alpacas. While both animals are native to the Andes Mountains of South America, the range of llamas in the region is larger than that of alpacas.
Sweet Potato & Yam
Getty Images / EyeEm / Norbert Kamil Kowaczek / Getty Images / Moment / Erlon Silva – TRI Digital
Many people use the terms “sweet potato” and “yam” as if they were interchangeable. Even though some stores do sell orange-fleshed sweet potatoes as yams, these two are actually two different vegetables. Real yams are more like yucca when it comes to texture and flavor, and they have starchy flesh, not sweet.
Great Britain & United Kingdom
Getty Images / fStop / Toby Mitchell / Getty Images / Moment / Light Thru My Lens Photography
Great Britain is a geographic term that refers to the island of Britain. It is made up of England, Scotland and Wales. United Kingdom, on the other hand, is a political term that encompasses all of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) as well as Northern Ireland.
Rat & Mouse
Getty Images / Moment / Alan Tunnicliffe Photography / Getty Images / DigitalVision/ Pete Starman
Although they are both rodents, rats and mice are different animals. The main difference between them is their size. While rats are larger and heavier, mice are smaller and slender. Their tails are also different: mice have long, slender tails covered in hair, and rats have hairless, shorter, and thicker tails.
Highway & Freeway
Getty Images / Moment / © Marco Bottigelli / Getty Images / DigitalVision / Thomas Northcut
Basically, all freeways are highways, but not all highways are freeways. Highways are main, direct roads. Freeways are highways with controlled access, which means drivers need to take a ramp to access them. Highways that have pedestrian crossings or traffic lights are not considered freeways.
Possum & Opossum
Getty Images / Moment / Photo by Joel Sharpe / Getty Images / imageBROKER/ Jurgen & Christine Sohns
There is a reason so many people get possums and opossums confused. In North America, people sometimes shorten the word “opossum” to “possum”. But there is a big difference between these two marsupials. While opossums are white and gray and live in South and North America, possums are usually gray or brown and live in Australia, New Guinea, Sulawesi, New Zealand, and China.
Seltzer Water & Tonic Water
Getty Images / DigitalVision / Lumina Imaging / Getty Images / Moment / Jena Ardell
Just like sparkling water and club soda, seltzer water and tonic water are different types of carbonated water. Both seltzer and tonic water are artificially carbonated, but seltzer does not contain any added minerals. Tonic water, on the other hand, contains added quinine and sugar.
Manners & Etiquette
Getty Images / Photodisc / Image Source / Getty Images / DigitalVision / Ralf Nau
Manners and etiquette are not synonyms. Etiquette refers to the set of rules of personal behavior observed by society or social groups. Manners, on the other hand, are behaviors that reflect the attitudes you use while observing these societal rules. Etiquette is shaking someone’s hands while introducing yourself, while good manners are saying “please” and “thank you”.
Crows vs. Ravens
Even though they look alike, crows and ravens are completely different birds. The main difference between them is their size: ravens are usually longer than crows. To put this in perspective, the average Common raven measures around 25 inches and weighs about 2.6 pounds, while the average American crow measures around 20 inches and weighs about 20 oz. Ravens also have a larger bill than crows.
Cookie & Biscuit
Getty Images / EyeEm / Elena Locatelli / Getty Images / Moment / Anna Kurzaeva
Although we tend to use the words “cookie” and “biscuit” interchangeably, they do not mean the same thing. While biscuit recipes only require very few ingredients, cookies can be made using a variety of ingredients. Besides, biscuits are crispy and thin, while cookies are large and chunky.
Armadillo & Pangolin
Pangolins are slow, only reaching 3 miles per hour, while armadillos can run up to 30 miles in an hour. Pangolins have sharp interlocking scales that allow them to curl into a ball as a defense mechanism. Armadillos, on the other hand, have bony shells on their shoulders and hips and usually flee or dig as a defense mechanism. Only some armadillo species can curl up like pangolins.
Mint & Peppermint
While all peppermint is mint, not all mint is peppermint. Mint (Mentha) is a genus of plants in the family Lamiaceae. There are more than a dozen different types of mint, including peppermint (Mentha piperita). Peppermint is a crossbreed of water mint and spearmint popular for its medicinal uses.
Iced Coffee & Cold Brew
Getty Images / DigitalVision / Jack Andersen / Getty Images / EyeEm / Kenshin Hau
Iced coffee is exactly what its name suggests: coffee that is brewed hot, then served over ice. Cold brew, on the other hand, is made chilled and never heated. Because the process of making cold brew doesn’t involve any heat, it results in a naturally sweeter and smoother beverage.
Poison & Venom
Even though the terms “venom” and “poison” seem to be used as synonyms sometimes, they actually have very different meanings according to biologists. While venomous animals are the ones that inject venom through bites and stings, poisonous animals unload toxins when they are eaten. That means that animals such as pufferfish are poisonous while black mamba snakes are venomous.
Herbs & Spices
Getty Images / Moment / Eugene Mymrin / Getty Images / DigitalVision / Maren Caruso
Herbs and spices come from different parts of a plant. Parsley, rosemary and thyme, for example, are herbs because they are the leaves of a plant. Seasonings harvested from any other part of a plant are considered spices.
Turtles & Tortoises
While not all turtles are tortoises, all tortoises are actually turtles. Turtles are all reptiles that belong to the Testudines order and tortoises are a species of that order. Turtles can live on land and in water, but tortoises can only live on land.
Straw & Hay
Getty Images / EyeEm / Thelma Lanteigne / Wikimedia Commons
There are a few key differences between straw and hay. Straw is the byproduct of cereal plants made by removing the grain and chaff, and it’s used for animal bedding or compost. Hay, on the other hand, is made from dried grasses or legumes, and is used as animal feed.
Climate & Weather
Getty Images / DigitalVision / Andre Schoenherr / Getty Images/ Moment / mikroman6
Often used as interchangeable terms, climate and weather have very different meanings. Weather is what we call the short-term status of the atmosphere regarding sunshine, heat, dryness, rain etc. Climate, on the other hand, is the average daily weather for an extended period of time at a specific location.
Butter & Margarine
Getty Images / Moment / © Miss Snail All right reserved / Getty Images / Frank Muckenheim
Although butter and margarine look extremely similar, these are two completely different products. While butter is derived from dairy and is rich in saturated fats, margarine is made from vegetable oils – such as canola oil, palm fruit oil, and soybean oil – to imitate butter.
Tomato Sauce & Tomato Paste
Getty Images / John Block / Getty Images / EyeEm / Michelle Arnold
Also known as Neapolitan sauce, tomato sauce has a thin consistency and is usually served as part of a dish, rather than as a condiment. Tomato paste, on the other hand, is cooked for several hours to achieve a thick consistency so it can be added to dishes in order to provide an intense umami flavor.
Soap & Detergent
Getty Images / Moment / Karl Tapales / Getty Images / Moment /Blanchi Costela
Used as cleaning products, soap and detergent are sometimes mistaken as the same item. In reality, while soap is made from natural ingredients and is limited in its applications, detergent is synthetic and can be formulated for all types of cleaning purposes. Detergent can perform well at any water temperature, while soap needs warm water to work.
Manga & Anime
Getty Images / AFP / JOEL SAGET / Getty Images / DDP / SEBASTIAN WILLNOW
Manga is the name given to Japanese comic books and graphic novels, while anime is the name given to Japanese hand-drawn and computer animation. Known as “the Father of Manga” and “Japanese Walt Disney”, Osamu Tezuka is considered the creator of both genres as we know them today.
College & University
Getty Images / AFP / ROBYN BECK / Getty Images / Getty Images News / Dan Kitwood
Even though we tend to use the words “college” and “university” as if they were synonyms, these two words have different meanings. College is a small institution that offers undergraduate degrees, while an institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees is considered a university.
Cement & Concrete
Getty Images / Moment / Thanit Weerawan / Getty Images / Moment / Jung Getty
Cement is a binder that sets, hardens and adheres to other materials to bind them together. It is actually an ingredient of concrete. On the other hand, concrete is a mixture of aggregates and paste. That is, it’s sand and gravel or crushed stone mixed with water and portland cement.
Demerara & Brown Sugar
Getty Images / Moment / Volanthevist / Getty Images / Moment / R.Tsubin
Even though demerara and brown sugar are both brown colored, they are completely different condiments. Demerara is a minimally-processed sugar produced from sugarcane that contains small amounts of molasses. On the other hand, brown sugar is often a mixture of processed white sugar and molasses.
Lawyer & Attorney
Getty Images / DigitalVision / Dave & Les Jacobs / Getty Images / DigitalVision / Dave & Les Jacobs
While an attorney is legally qualified to practice law in court, a lawyer isn’t necessarily qualified. A lawyer is simply someone who graduated from law school. An attorney is a lawyer who passed the bar exam and is licensed to practice law in a specific jurisdiction.
Toffee & Caramel
Getty Images / Westend61 / Getty Images / “””Nicoloso, Loic”””
Both caramel and toffee are made by carefully burning sugar. In candy form, caramel is usually chewy and gummy, while toffee is brittle. Caramel is softer because its recipe includes cream, milk, or condensed milk, while toffee is basically just sugar and butter.
Grilling & Barbecuing
Getty Images / Johner Images / Getty Images / Stockbyte / PHOTO 24
Grilling and barbecuing are sometimes considered synonyms, but these techniques achieve very different results. To grill, you should not use a lid. Grilling is done with direct heat on the bottom of the meat, while barbecuing requires heat all around it. This is why barbecuing is done with the lid closed.
Seal & Sea Lion
Imgur / Getty Images / Peter Stark
Even though seals and sea lions look pretty similar, there are several differences between these animals. The easiest way to tell them apart is to look at their ears: while seals only have ear holes, sea lions have small flaps that cover their ears. Besides, seals have short front feet and sea lions have elongated fore flippers.
Terrace & Balcony
Getty Images / Moment / John Keeble / Getty Images / Moment / Busà Photography
Balconies are always attached to a room of a house or a building – and are only accessible through the room they’re attached to. Terraces can be free-standing and are accessible through multiple entry points. Besides, balconies are always on the second story or above, while terraces can be ground-level.
Lotion & Moisturizer
Getty Images / Moment / Yulia Naumenko / Getty Images / Photodisc / Studio 504
Often used as synonyms, the terms “lotion” and “moisturizer” actually have different meanings. Lotion has a higher water content than moisturizer, which allows it to work on the surface of the skin. Moisturizer is a thicker cream designed to bring moisture into the skin, which means it usually has sealing agents such as mineral oils or petroleum jelly.
Ice Cream & Gelato
Getty Images / Moment / Food style and photography / Getty Images / Moment / by Nada Stankova Photography
Ice cream and gelato are similar frozen desserts and share the same main ingredients: milk, cream, and sweetener. The reason why ice cream is fluffy and gelato is dense lies in their recipe proportions. Gelato is made with less cream and air than ice cream, making it thicker.
Barter vs. Haggle
Wikimedia Commons / Getty Images / EyeEm / Stevica Mrdja
Sometimes used as synonyms, the terms “barter” and “haggle” actually have completely different meanings. Bartering involves a trade of equal value without any actual money being exchanged. Haggling, on the other hand, is a price negotiation.
Memoir vs. Autobiography
Getty Images / Getty Images Entertainment / Matthew Simmons / Getty Images / Getty Images Entertainment / Anthony Harvey
While autobiographies follow chronological order and are heavily rooted in facts from the subject’s life, memoirs are less formal. They are an opportunity for authors to speak their emotional truth and pick and choose which events they want to discuss.
CV & Résumé
A résumé is a one-page summary of someone’s skills and experience. A CV, on the other hand, is commonly used for academic or scientific positions and requires in-depth listings of one’s academic background and accomplishments.
Jelly & Jam
Getty Images / Aleksandr Kuzmin / Getty Images / Westend61
Jelly and jam are both are similar fruit preserves. Jelly is smoother and translucent since its made from fruit juice. Jam, on the other hand, is made of crushed fruit or pulp cooked with sugar – which makes it looser than jelly. This is why jam sometimes has seeds or fruit peel as well.
Mashed Potato & Puree
Getty Images / Moment / Lilyana Vinogradova / Getty Images / Cultura / BRETT STEVENS
Mashed potatoes are made by manually mashing the vegetables with a potato masher. This is a rustic style that is faster to make and its result is not smooth. Pomme purée is made by pureeing potatoes in a food processor to achieve a smooth and creamy texture.
Emoji & Emoticon
Getty Images / DigitalVision Vectors / calvindexter / Getty Images / Science Photo Library / KTSDESIGN
Disinterested & Uninterested
Getty Images / Westend61 / Getty Images / Moment / Christopher Hope-Fitch
These two words are commonly used interchangeably, but they do not have the same meaning. Being disinterested in something means you don’t have an interest in it. That is, you are uninvolved. On the other hand, being uninterested means you are bored.
Rainforest & Jungle
Getty Images / Moment Open / Federica Grassi / Getty Images / EyeEm / Marek Stefunko
While jungle is simply a descriptive term, the word rainforest is a scientific one that refers to an ecosystem. Just like a jungle, a rainforest is an area densely overgrown with trees and tangled vegetation. But unlike a jungle, a rainforest has a layer of tall trees that blocks out most of the sunlight, which inhibits plant growth on the ground.
Cage-Free & Free-Range Eggs
Getty Images / EyeEm / Lenny Tam / Getty Images / EyeEm / Ismail Sadiron
Both cage-free and free-range are terms regulated by the USDA. Cage-free means that the eggs come from hens that aren’t caged but don’t have access to the outdoors. Free-range, on the other hand, means that the eggs come from hens who have some access to the outdoors.
Holland & Netherlands
Getty Images / Moment / Frans Sellies / Getty Images / Moment / Greg Gibb Photography
Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Netherlands is a country divided into twelve provinces, including Noord Holland and Zuid Holland. The terms get confused by tourists because the most famous cities in the Netherlands, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, are located in North Holland and South Holland, respectively.
Alligator & Crocodile
Getty Images / DigitalVision / Abstract Aerial Art / Getty Images / EyeEm / Enrico Battistini
Even though most people cannot distinguish alligators from crocodiles, there are numerous differences between them. The easiest way to set them apart is by taking a look at their jaws: alligators have wide, U-shaped snouts, while crocodiles have pointy, V-shaped snouts.
Sour Cream & Creme Fraiche
Getty Images / Moment / Natasha Breen / Getty Images / H et M
Traditionally crème fraîche is made with only unpasteurized cream, while sour cream is made by mixing cream with a lactic acid culture to thicken in. While sour cream has a fat content of about 20%, crème fraîche has around 30% – making it thicker and less tangy than sour cream.
Bug & Insect
Although all bugs are insects, not all insects are bugs. That is, only the insects that belong to the order Hemiptera are considered bugs. True bugs usually have tough forewings and three-part bodies. Besides, instead of teeth, bugs have mouths shaped like straws used to suck juices from plants.
Pool & Billiards
Getty Images / EyeEm / Suwan Wanawattanawong / Getty Images / Caspar Benson
There are numerous differences between pool and billiards. The most obvious one is the number of balls used in each game. Billiards uses three balls: a white, a yellow, and a red ball. A full set of pool balls, on the other hand, consists of sixteen balls.
Emu & Ostrich
Getty Images / RooM / Carrigphotos / Getty Images / Moment / Javier Fernández Sánchez
Even though both ostriches and emus are flightless birds from the ratite group, they are very different animals. First of all, ostriches are the largest bird on the planet while emus are only a third of their size. Besides, ostriches are strictly herbivorous, while emus are mostly omnivores. Lastly, ostriches are faster than emus, running at speeds up to nearly 45 mph, while emus can usually run at about 30 mph.
Dove & Pigeon
Getty Images / EyeEm / Marco Kroezemann / Getty Images / EyeEm / Pietro Recchia
Scientifically, there is no difference between a pigeon and a dove. Although there is no technical definition, we tend to categorize these two members of the Columbidae family by size. Doves are usually smaller, while pigeons are often larger and stubbier.
Blizzard & Snowstorm
Getty Images / Moment / Evgeni Dinev Photography / Getty Images / Moment / Stefanie Hoepner
The difference between a snowstorm and a blizzard is the strength of the wind, not the amount of snow. A snowstorm can involve snow, sleet, ice, or freezing rain, and can result in hazardous surfaces, as well as poor driving conditions. A blizzard, however, is a severe snowstorm characterized by strong winds sustained at 35 mph or more that causes low visibility and usually lasts a few hours.
Emperor & King
Getty Images / DigitalVision / Gary Yeowell / Getty Images / Moment / mikroman6
An emperor and a king are both rulers, but the power associated with each of them is different. An emperor typically rules more than one nation, while a king rules only one territory – which could be located within an empire. This means that while emperors pay tribute to no one, kings might be obliged to pay tribute to another ruler, such as an emperor or a pope.
Tiara & Crown
Getty Images / WireImage / Anwar Hussein / Getty Images / WireImage / Anwar Hussein Collection/ROTA
The easiest way to differentiate a crown from a tiara is by observing who is wearing it. Generally, only sovereigns wear crowns, while other members of the royal family or nobility are allowed to wear coronets and tiaras. Besides, there is a design difference between them: crowns are always a full circle, while tiaras are sometimes only semi-circular.
Copyright & Trademark
Getty Images / Moment / Nora Carol Photography / Getty Images / Stockbyte / John Foxx
While copyrights are automatically created when something is produced, trademarks are created due to use in commerce. This means that social media pictures, for example, fall under copyright protection, while business names are protected by trademark laws.
Rhythmic Gymnastics & Artistic Gymnastics
Getty Images / AFP / KAZUHIRO NOGI / Getty Images / AFP / ADRIAN DENNIS
The main difference between both sports is simple: artistic gymnasts compete on apparatus, while rhythmic gymnasts compete with handheld apparatus. Besides, rhythmic gymnastics is all about presentation and style, while artistic gymnastics is more about precision and strength.
Yeti & Bigfoot
Getty Images / Moment / David Wall / Getty Images / Photographer’s Choice RF / Nine OK
The main difference between Bigfoot and Yeti is their location. Known as Sasquatch or Bigfoot, this mythical creature supposedly lives in the Pacific Northwest in North America. Yeti, on the other hand, is thought to be native to the Himalayas in Asia.
Knitting & Crocheting
Getty Images / Westend61 / Getty Images / Moment Open / Lorraine Barnard
There are two main differences between knitting and crocheting. First, a knitting needle has a pointy end, while a crocheting needle has a hooked end. Besides, when it comes to crocheting, you will only ever use one single needle. For knitting, however, you can use as many needles as you want.
Comic Book & Graphic Novel
Comic books are published regularly and cannot stand on their own as complete narratives. Graphic novels, on the other hand, are usually longer than and tell a self-contained story that doesn’t require the reader to know what happened in the previous comic in the series.
Blimp & Zeppelin
Blimps are light vehicles that do not have a rigid shape, which means they get their shape from the pressurized gases that fill them. Zeppelins, on the other hand, have a rigid shape that doesn’t change whether or not they are filled with gas. Technically, to be defined as a zeppelin, a rigid airship has to be produced by the German company Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik.
Church & Cathedral
Getty Images / DigitalVision / Nerida McMurray Photography / Getty Images / Moment / JaCZhou 2015
A church is a house of worship where Christians gather to pray and hold religious functions. It can be extremely plain and very simple. A cathedral, on the other hand, is the central church of a diocese, conference, or episcopate. For this reason, there is only one cathedral and one bishop per city.
Spaghetti & Spaghettini
Getty Images / Moment / Anna Kurzaeva / Getty Images / DAJ
The main difference between spaghettini and spaghetti is the thickness of the pasta. Both are long and thin noodles, but spaghettini is thinner than spaghetti – which means it also cooks faster. This means that spaghetti might be easier to make, since spaghettini can easily be overcooked.
Model & Supermodel
Getty Images / DigitalVision / Image Source / Getty Images / Getty Images Entertainment / Studio Fernanda Calfat
The difference between a model and a supermodel is how famous someone is. If a model is known outside of the fashion world, she is a supermodel. For example, Cindy Crawford, Gisele Bundchen and Naomi Campbell are famous even to people who don’t care about fashion.
Rabbit & Hare
Getty Images / Moment / Larry Keller, Lititz Pa. / Getty Images / EyeEm / Edwin Godinho
Although hares and rabbits belong to the same family, Leporidae, they are different species of animals. Hares have longer ears than rabbits and don’t dig burrows. Besides, hares are less social than rabbits and even their young are able to fend for themselves shortly after birth.
Ship & Boat
Getty Images / Moment / Suriyapong Thongsawang / Getty Images / EyeEm / Mario Clermont
Sometimes used as synonyms, the words “ship” and “boat” do not mean the same thing. The main difference between a ship and a boat is its size. A boat is usually small enough to be carried aboard a ship.
Soup & Stew
Getty Images / Westend61 / Getty Images / Westend61
Soup and stew are liquid-based dishes that sometimes even contain the same ingredients. The main difference between both dishes is the amount of liquid required to make them. That is, soup ingredients are usually submerged completely in water or stock, while stew ingredients are just barely covered in liquid.
Baking Soda & Baking Powder
Getty Images / EyeEm / Eskay Lim / Getty Images / EyeEm / Eskay Lim
Baking powder and baking soda are both types of chemical leaveners. Baking powder includes sodium bicarbonate and a powdered acid, so it only needs a liquid to be activated. Baking soda, on the other hand, is just sodium bicarbonate, so it requires an acid and a liquid to be activated.
Cemetery & Graveyard
Although the terms cemetery and graveyard are often used interchangeably, they actually have different meanings. A cemetery is a land specifically designated as a burial ground. A graveyard, on the other hand, is usually a burial ground within a churchyard.
Labrador & Golden Retriever
Imgur / Getty Images / Moment / Carmen Martínez Torrón
Although both breeds look very similar, there are several differences between Golden Retrievers and Labradors. When it comes to their personality, Golden Retrievers are more relaxed, while Labradors are more energetic. Physically, Goldens are more narrow and have a lean jaw, while Labradors are broader and are a little more jowly.
Fire Engine & Fire Truck
Getty Images / Stockbyte / Stockbyte / Getty Images / Image Source / Image Source
A fire engine is usually the first vehicle to arrive at the scene of a large fire. It has a pump, a water tank, and powerful hoses. A fire truck, however, transports firefighters and their equipment, such as ladders, rescue gear, and power tools.
Sparkling Water & Seltzer
Getty Images / Nicoloso, Loic / Getty Images / Walter Zerla
Seltzer is water that is artificially carbonated. This is the type of bubbly water that is usually flavored. Sparkling water, on the other hand, is made with natural spring or well water, which means it has naturally occurring minerals. This kind of water is naturally carbonated.
Castle & Palace
Getty Images / DigitalVision / Jeremy Woodhouse / Getty Images / AFP / AFP Contributor
Castles were first built in the Middle Ages to serve as fortresses for royalty. They are large, fortified buildings with strong walls to defend against possible attacks. Palaces, however, are simply designed for luxury. They are usually surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens.
Sunscreen & Sunblock
Getty Images / Image Source / Image Source / Getty Images / Moment / Tanja Ivanova
While sunscreen is a chemical defense that penetrates the skin to absorb ultraviolet rays, sunblock is a physical barrier that defends the skin against UV rays. Sunscreen has ingredients such as avobenzone, oxybenzone, and para-aminobenzoic acid, while sunblock uses zinc oxide or titanium oxide.
Biodegradable & Compostable
Getty Images / Moment / MirageC / Getty Images / Photodisc / Dougal Waters
While all compostable material is biodegradable, not all biodegradable material is compostable. Biodegradable products are usually plant-based, animal-based, or natural mineral-based that will break down in a reasonable amount of time. Compostable products are capable of breaking down into natural elements in a compost environment in about 90 days.