Definitions
Sere is an adjective that refers to something that is dry, withered, or lacking moisture.
Example
The sere leaves rustled in the wind.
Example
The desert was a vast expanse of sere landscape.
Cere is a noun that refers to the fleshy, waxy covering at the base of a bird's beak.
Example
The eagle's cere was a bright yellow color.
Example
The ornithologist studied the bird's cere to determine its species.
Sear is a verb that means to burn or scorch the surface of something with a sudden intense heat.
Example
Sear the meat on both sides before cooking it.
Example
The chef used a blowtorch to sear the top of the creme brulee.
Seer is a noun that refers to a person who is supposed to be able to see into the future or predict events.
Example
The seer predicted that the king would die in battle.
Example
Many people sought the advice of the village seer.
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 these homophones, you could associate sere with 'dryness' or 'lack of moisture', cere with 'bird beak', sear with 'burning' or 'scorching', and seer with 'predicting the future'.
Remember this!
Remember, sere means dry or withered, cere refers to a bird's beak, sear means to burn or scorch, and seer is someone who predicts the future.
