Titillate means to stimulate, tickle, or arouse pleasantly. The spicy chicken wings always titillate our taste buds. Titivate means adorn or spruce up. Hand-painted murals of famous jazz musicians titivate the walls.
Difference between Timber and Timbre
Timber refers to cut wood and, figuratively, to qualify for a certain position. The timber company worked on replanting trees all spring. The new trainee has management timber. Timbre refers to the quality of sound. The young choir voices have great range and beautiful timbre.
Difference between Till and Until
Though considered less formal, the word till is acceptable shorthand for until. Note that ‘til, a contraction of until, is an old form that has been replaced by till.
Difference between Tide me over and Tie me over
Tide me over, which means to help one survive a scarcity of some resource, is the correct expression. The phrase refers to a swelling tide, which can carry a small boat over an obstacle without requiring effort on the boat’s part. This job will tide me over financially until I find a better one.
Difference between Tidbit and Titbit
Tidbit is preferred in American usage.
Difference between Thus and Thusly
Thusly is a nonstandard word. Avoid its use.
Difference between Throughway and Thruway
Thruway, meaning an expressway, is the more common word. It is derived from the words through and highway.
Difference between Throughfare and Thoroughfare
Thoroughfare, meaning a public road, is the correct word.
Difference between Through and Thru
Though it is quite common, thru is a nonstandard word and should be avoided. Use through instead.
Difference between Throes and Throws
Throes means severe spasm of pain or a condition of struggling. We’re in the throes of remodeling our house for the first time. Throws means propels, hurls, or flings. The news of the profit loss throws a new light on the investment.
Difference between Thrash and Thresh
Thrash means to beat, defeat, or move violently. In yesterday’s ballgame, we thrashed the opposition. Some in the yoga class thrashed their arms like windmills. Thresh means to separate seeds of grain from husks by beating. The farm workers thresh the wheat in the fields twice a week.
Difference between These ones and Those ones
Avoid these phrases. Just use these or those.