7 Words Almost Everyone Gets Wrong

Whether it’s the wrong context or the wrong part of speech, it’s easy to mix up certain words. What seems like a straightforward phrase — “feeling nauseous” or “being mortified” — might actually be a pretty big language blunder. Here are some frequently misunderstood English words, along with their true meanings and tips for using them correctly.

1. Nauseous

Have you ever felt sick and said that you were nauseous? You probably meant to use “nauseated.” Historically, “nauseous” meant “causing nausea or disgust” and was used as a descriptor for such things as foul odors: “The nauseous smell of spoiled milk filled the room.” To describe feeling sick, “nauseated” was considered the correct word, as in, “I felt nauseated after the roller coaster.” However, as language has evolved, many major dictionaries, including Merriam-Webster, accept “nauseous” as a synonym of “nauseated”; Merriam-Webster even notes that this second usage is now more common, and “nauseating” has become a synonym for the first usage. But other sources, including medical professionals, still recognize the distinction.

2. Aesthetic

The word “aesthetic” has become especially popular on social media. It traditionally refers to a set of qualities that define a particular style or look. For example, a loft might have an industrial aesthetic, while a consignment store may have a vintage aesthetic. In its plural form, the word can also be used as a synonym for “beauty”: “The museum was designed for function and aesthetics.” Yet a common phrase with a different intention persists on social media today: “That is so aesthetic.” In this slang usage, it means something is cool, visually appealing, or a “vibe.” This has become acceptable in conversational contexts, but it’s best to avoid it in formal writing.

3. Weary

“Weary” means “physically or mentally exhausted” — but that’s not how many people use it. People often confuse “weary” with the similar-sounding words “wary” (“cautious, suspicious, or alert to possible danger”) and “leery” (“suspicious, wary”). Here’s the correct usage: “I was weary on the drive home after working a 12-hour shift.” The word can also refer to fatigue, boredom, or burnout, as in, “By the end of the semester, she grew weary of the class.” If you’re suspicious or on alert, especially in the face of danger, use “wary” or “leery,” as in, “I was wary/leery of walking home alone in the dark.”

4. Purposefully

You might hear someone say, “She purposefully left the door unlocked,” but this usage is incorrect. “Purposefully” is not a synonym for “deliberately.” Instead, it refers to determination, intention, or a clear sense of direction, as in, “She worked purposefully to start the new charity.” If you want to  refer to a deliberate action, try “purposely” (“I purposely withhold personal information on social media”), “intentionally,” “deliberately,” or “knowingly.”

5. Mortified

Have you been using “mortified” incorrectly? That would be embarrassing — or mortifying. “Mortified” refers to a strong sense of shame or embarrassment. You might say, for instance, “I gave my speech with toilet paper stuck to my shoe — I was mortified!” However, many people incorrectly use this term to mean “horrified” or “terrified.” It’s understandable, given the etymology: The root word “mort” comes from the Latin words mors and mortem, meaning “death,” which certainly carries an air of horror. But despite its more sinister definitions (“to kill or destroy”) in the Middle Ages and earlier, the modern usage of “mortified” remains firmly limited to humiliation.

6. Floundered

If a business closes down, someone might say it floundered, but this term doesn’t actually mean it failed. To flounder is to make clumsy attempts or struggle to make progress. For example, a new sales hire might flounder (or underperform) when trying to meet their first month’s quota. On the other hand, “founder” means “to fail completely, collapse, or sink,” as in, “The negotiations foundered after the treaty ended.” Think of “floundered” as struggling to stay afloat and “foundered” as actually sinking.

7. Wither

The idea of twisting, squirming, and withering in pain is actually a mistake — the correct phrase is “writhing in pain.” “Wither” has a few definitions, the most common being in relation to plants: “to become dry and sapless.” It can also mean “to lose vitality, force, or freshness.” But it is unrelated to pain or contortion. In that case, the correct word is “writhe,” meaning “to twist or to suffer keenly.” Remember: “Wither” often refers to plants, especially flowers, or to concepts such as hope or beauty. “Writhe” has a more intense tone and refers to pain or suffering.