Learn about the difference between the homophones: dean and dene

Definitions

dean

Dean is a noun that refers to the head of a college or university faculty or department.

Example

The dean of the law school is retiring next year.

Example

She was appointed as the dean of the business school.

dene

Dene is a noun that refers to a small, wooded valley or ravine.

Example

The dene was filled with wildflowers and birdsong.

Example

We went for a hike in the dene and saw some beautiful scenery.

Tips To Remember the Differences

Here are a few tips to easily distinguish the difference between these words while keeping in mind the description we've provided:

- To remember the difference between dean and dene, you could associate dean with education and administration. Think of the word 'dean' as an acronym for 'Director of Education and Administration'. - For dene, think of it as a small valley or ravine, and associate it with nature and scenery.