Master confusing words with ease
Chafe vs. Chaff
Chafe
/tʃeɪf/Examples:
The backpack started to chafe against my shoulders.Wool socks might chafe your skin if worn too long.Metallic edges can easily chafe delicate fabrics.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Chaff
Examples:
The old barn was full of chaff and dust.Farmers separate wheat from chaff after harvesting.Her words were just chaff, lacking substance.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Chafe means to make something sore by rubbing, or to be annoyed or impatient.
- Chaff refers to the husks of grains and grasses that are separated during threshing.
- Chafe is a verb related to friction and irritation, while chaff is a noun related to agriculture.
- If you're feeling irritated, you might chafe.
- Think of chaff as the waste product you blow away when winnowing grain.
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