This is the second blog post in a three-part series on the relationships between the pronunciation of English words and their spellings. Follow the links for part one of the series on Silent Letters and part three on the Sound System of American English.
As mentioned in the previous blog post, it often happens that the spelling of an English word doesn’t match up well with its pronunciation. There’s another category of word that can also cause confusion; these are words that sound the same, but are spelled differently and have different meanings. These words are called “homophones”. If you memorize the most common homophones in English, then you will avoid a lot of potential confusion in your communications. An added bonus of memorizing common homophones is that you will be able to easily understand many jokes, puns, and plays on words that you encounter (or even spice up your conversations by creating such plays on words yourself!)
Without further ado, here is a chart of some of the most common sets of homophones in English. Remember, all of the words in the left column are pronounced the same way. That is, if you say “ate, eight” out loud, then it should sound exactly the same as if you said “ate, ate” or “eight, eight”.
| Spelling: | Pronounced: |
| ad, add | ad |
| Adam, atom | AD-um |
| air, err, heir | air |
| aisle, isle, I’ll | AI-ull |
| aloud, allowed | uh-LOUD |
| altar, alter | ALL-ter |
| ant, aunt | ant |
| assent, ascent | uh-SENT |
| ate, eight | ate |
| bail, bale | bale |
| ball, bawl | bawl |
| band, banned | band |
| bazaar, bizarre | buh-ZAR |
| bare, bear | bare (rhymes with “air”) |
| base, bass (instrument) | base (rhymes with “ace”) |
| be, bee | bee |
| beat, beet | beet |
| berry, bury | berry |
| bin, been | bin |
| billed, build | bild |
| bite, byte | byte |
| blew, blue | bloo |
| board, bored | bord |
| brake, break | brake |
| buy, by, bye | by |
| carrot, karat | KARE-ut |
| cell, sell | sell |
| cent, sent, scent | sent |
| cereal, serial | serial |
| chili, chilly, Chile | chill-ee |
| chews, choose | chooz |
| cite, site, sight | site |
| close, clothes | kloz |
| core, corps | kor |
| course, coarse | korss |
| creek, creak | creek |
| cue, queue | kyoo |
| days, daze | daze |
| deer, dear | deer |
| die, dye | dye |
| do, due, dew | doo |
| fair, fare | fare |
| faze, phase | faze |
| finish, Finnish | finish |
| find, fined | find |
| feudal, futile | FYU-dul |
| flea, flee | flee |
| feat, feet | feet |
| flower, flour | FLOW-er (“flow” rhymes with “cow”) |
| for, four | for |
| fowl, foul | FOW-ul |
| great, grate | grate |
| groan, grown | grone |
| Greece, grease | grees |
| guest, guessed | gest (rhymes with “best”) |
| gym, Jim | jim |
| hair, hare | hair |
| hall, haul | hawl |
| heal, heel | heel |
| hear, here | heer |
| heed, he’d | heed |
| herd, heard | herd |
| him, hymn | him |
| hire, higher | hi-er |
| hole, whole | hol |
| horse, hoarse | horse |
| hostel, hostile | HAHST-ul |
| hurts, hertz | herts |
| I, eye | AI |
| in, inn | in |
| intense, intents | intense |
| jewels, joules | joolz |
| lessen, lesson | less-in |
| maid, made | made |
| mail, male | male |
| manner, manor | manner |
| meat, meet | meet |
| metal, medal, meddle | MED-ul |
| need, knead | need |
| new, knew | noo |
| no, know | no |
| nose, knows | noz |
| not, knot | not |
| nun, none | nun |
| oh, owe | oh |
| one, won | wun |
| or, oar | or |
| our, hour | ow-er |
| pail, pale | pale |
| pair, pare, pear | pare |
| past, passed | past |
| peace, piece | peese |
| peer, pier | peer |
| plane, plain | plane |
| poll, pole | poll |
| pour, pore | pore |
| prince, prints | prins |
| principal, principle | PRINCE-i-pul |
| profit, prophet | PRAH-fit |
| rain, rein, reign | rane |
| rap, wrap | rap |
| red, read | red |
| right, write, rite, wright | rite |
| ring, wring | ring |
| road, rode, rowed | rode |
| roll, role | roll |
| root, route | root |
| sail, sale | sale |
| sea, see | see |
| seam, seem | seem |
| seas, sees, seize | seez |
| seen, scene | seen |
| seller, cellar | seller |
| side, sighed | side |
| so, sow, sew | so |
| sole, soul, Seoul | sole |
| some, sum | sum |
| son, sun | sun |
| stair, stare | stare |
| steal, steel | steel |
| sweet, suite | sweet |
| sword, soared | sord |
| tail, tale | tale |
| taught, taut | tawt |
| tear (meaning: drop of water), tier | teer |
| tear (meaning: rip), tare | tair |
| tense, tents | tense |
| there, their, they’re | thair |
| threw, through | threw |
| thrown, throne | throne |
| tie, Thai | tye |
| to, too, two | too |
| tow, toe | toe |
| vain, vein | vain |
| way, weigh | way |
| wait, weight | wait |
| weather, whether | wether |
| week, weak | week |
| where, wear, ware | ware |
| which, witch | witch |
| whose, who’s | hooz |
| will, we’ll | will |
| wood, would | wood |
| wore, war | wore |
| worn, warn | worn |
| your, you’re | yer |
Do you have further questions about American English, or are you interested in accent training? Reach out and contact me!
This word set can be confusing, even for word geeks. Let’s start with the basics. A homograph is a word that has the same spelling as another word but has a different sound and a different meaning:
lead (to go in front of)/lead (a metal)
wind (to follow a course that is not straight)/wind (a gust of air)
bass (low, deep sound)/bass (a type of fish)
A homophone is a word that has the same sound as another word but has a different meaning. Homophones may or may not have the same spelling. Here are some examples:
to/two/too
there/their/they’re
pray/prey
Not so bad, right? The ending –graph means drawn or written, so a homograph has the same spelling. The –phone ending means sound or voice, so a homophone has the same pronunciation. But here’s where it gets tricky. Depending on whom you talk to, homonym means either:
A word that is spelled like another but has a different sound and meaning (homograph); a word that sounds like another but has a different spelling and meaning (homophone)
OR
A word that is spelled and pronounced like another but has a different meaning (homograph and homophone)
So does a homonym have to be both a homograph and a homophone, or can it be just one or the other? As with most things in life, it depends on whom you ask.
In the strictest sense, a homonym must be both a homograph and a homophone. So say many dictionaries. However, other dictionaries allow that a homonym can be a homograph or a homophone.
With so many notable resources pointing to the contrary, are we losing this strict meaning? What then will we call a word that is spelled and pronounced the same as another but has a different meaning? If homonym retains all these meanings, how will readers know what is actually meant?
The careful writer would do well to follow the strict sense, ensuring his meaning is understood immediately.
homograph
Use the noun homograph to talk about two words that are spelled the same but have different meanings and are sometimes pronounced differently — like sow, meaning «female pig,» and sow, «to plant seeds.» Continue reading…
homonym
Can you spot the homonyms in the sentence «The baseball pitcher drank a pitcher of water»? A homonym is a word that is said or spelled the same way as another word but has a different meaning. «Write” and “right” is a good example of a pair of homonyms. Continue reading…
homophone
A homophone is a word that sounds the same as another word but has a different meaning and/or spelling. “Flower” and “flour” are homophones because they are pronounced the same but you certainly can’t bake a cake using daffodils. Continue reading…
Last Update: Jan 03, 2023
This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and answer for everyone, who is interested!
Asked by: Solon Gibson
Score: 4.6/5
(24 votes)
Words that having similar sounds are called homonyms. Within the category of homonyms are two commonly confused concepts: homographs and homophones.
What are the sounding words?
Examples of these sound words include:
- bam.
- bang.
- clang.
- clank.
- clap.
- clatter.
- click.
- clink.
What are some badass words?
badass
- agitator.
- rebel.
- demagogue.
- dissident.
- fighter.
- frondeur.
- renegade.
- sparkplug.
What are 2 words that sound the same?
What Is a Homophone? As mentioned above, sets of words like “you’re” and “your” are called homophones. The root of that word, homo-, means “same,” and the root phone- means “sound.” Homophones are two words that sound the same, but have different meanings.
Can you give me a list of Homographs?
Homograph Examples
- agape – with mouth open OR love.
- bass – type of fish OR low, deep voice.
- bat — piece of sports equipment OR an animal.
- bow – type of knot OR to incline.
- down – a lower place OR soft fluff on a bird.
- entrance – the way in OR to delight.
- evening – smoothing out OR after sunset.
- fine – of good quality OR a levy.
44 related questions found
What is homophonic mean?
having the same sound. Music. having one part or melody predominating (opposed to polyphonic).
Which word is pronounced the same as one?
A homophone is a word that sounds the same as another word but has a different meaning and/or spelling. “Flower” and “flour” are homophones because they are pronounced the same but you certainly can’t bake a cake using daffodils. Continue reading…
What is polysemy English?
When a symbol, word, or phrase means many different things, that’s called polysemy. The verb «get» is a good example of polysemy — it can mean «procure,» «become,» or «understand.» … Generally, polysemy is distinguished from simple homonyms (where words sound alike but have different meanings) by etymology.
What are same words with different meanings?
When words are spelled the same and sound the same but have different meanings, then they are called homonyms.
What are the 10 homonyms?
10 Homonyms with Meanings and Sentences
- Cache – Cash:
- Scents – Sense:
- Chile – Chili:
- Choir – Quire:
- Site – Sight:
- Facts- Fax:
- Finnish – Finish:
What are homonyms words?
Homonyms may be words with identical pronunciations but different spellings and meanings, such as to, too, and two. Or they may be words with both identical pronunciations and identical spellings but different meanings, such as quail (the bird) and quail (to cringe).
What is a word that is spelled the same but have different meanings?
Homophones are words that sound the same but are different in meaning or spelling. Homographs are spelled the same, but differ in meaning or pronunciation. Homonyms can be either or even both. … Welcome to homophones, homographs, and homonyms.
Which word has many meanings?
Homonyms, or multiple-meaning words, are words that have the same spelling and usually sound alike, but have different meanings (e.g. dog bark, tree bark).
What are polysemous words?
A polysemous word is a word that has different meanings that derive from a common origin; a homograph is a word that has different meanings with unrelated origins. Polysemous words and homographs constitute a known problem for language learners.
What are Polysemantic words?
Definitions of polysemantic word. a word having more than one meaning. synonyms: polysemant, polysemous word. type of: word. a unit of language that native speakers can identify.
What is a correct pronunciation?
Pronunciation is the way in which a word or a language is spoken. This may refer to generally agreed-upon sequences of sounds used in speaking a given word or language in a specific dialect («correct pronunciation») or simply the way a particular individual speaks a word or language.
Is the S silent in chassis?
Strictly following the formal rules of English, both the singular and plural possessive are spelled and pronounced the same: chassis’ prononounced chasseez.
What word is pronounced the same even after removing?
Answer Expert Verified
Queue is the only 5 letter word which has the same pronounciation even if the last 4 words are removed. That is , even though if we remove «ueue» from the word Queue , we will get the same pronounciation which was earlier. Hence, The answer is Queue.
What is homophonic example?
An example of something homophonic is a piece of music with chords, where two instruments play the same line of melody in the same rhythm; however, one instrument plays one note and a second intrument places a note in harmony. An example of homophonic words are pair and pear. Having the same sound.
What is an example of homophonic texture?
So, a homophonic texture is where you can have multiple different notes playing, but they’re all based around the same melody. A rock or pop star singing a song while playing guitar or piano at the same time is an example of homophonic texture.
Homophones are words that sound the same but are different in meaning or spelling. Homographs are spelled the same, but differ in meaning or pronunciation. Homonyms can be either or even both. To help remember, think of the etymology: homophones have the same sound (the Greek phonos), homographs have the same spelling (Greek graphein), and homonym comes from the Greek word meaning «name» (onyma).
NOT pronounced like the front of a ship.
There are many aspects of the English language that might be described as tricky, or even vexatious. Among these are the large number of words that are spelled differently but which sound the same. Or all the words which are spelled the same but don’t sound the same at all. Or the fact that there is a single word which describes these two very different types of words. Welcome to homophones, homographs, and homonyms.
Homophones vs. Homographs vs. Homonyms
Here is the simplest explanation we can give for each of these words:
Homophones are words that sound the same but are different.
Homographs are words that are spelled the same but are different.
Homonyms can be homophones, homographs, or both.
Here is a slightly less simple explanation for each of these words:
Homophones are words pronounced alike but different in meaning or derivation or spelling. These words may be spelled differently from each other (such as to, too, and two), or they may be spelled the same way (as in quail meaning ‘to cower’ and quail meaning a type of bird).
Homographs are words that are spelled alike but are different in meaning or derivation or pronunciation. Sometimes these words sound different (as in the bow of a ship, and the bow that shoots arrows), and sometimes these words sound the same (as in quail meaning ‘to cower’ and quail meaning a type of bird).
Homonym may be used to refer to either homophones or to homographs. Some people feel that the use of homonym should be restricted to words that are spelled alike but are different in pronunciation and meaning, such as the bow of a ship and the bow that shoots arrows.
Tricks for Keeping them Apart
If you would like to distinguish between these words but have trouble remembering their differences, etymology can be of assistance. All of these words are formed with the combining form homo-, meaning “one and the same; similar; alike,” and each has an additional root that sheds light on the word’s meaning. Homophone comes from the Greek -phōnos (meaning “sounding”); homograph is from the Greek graphein (“to write”); homonym is from the Greek onyma (meaning “name”).
Shutterstock
- There are lots of English language words that are spelled the same but have different meanings.
- A baseball bat and the nocturnal animal bat are good examples of a «homonym.»
- An airy wind and «to wind down» are homographs, too.
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It’s no secret that the English language can be tricky. For anyone learning the language, it’s difficult to grasp all the drastic differences a single word can have.
People most get tripped up on words that are too similar. When words are spelled the same and sound the same but have different meanings, then they are called homonyms. When they are just spelled the same but sound different and have different meanings, then they are homographs.
Here are some of the most popular homonyms and homographs in the English language.
Bat
Shutterstock
When used as a noun, a bat could be a winged, nocturnal animal or a piece of sporting equipment used in baseball. It can also be used as a verb when a player goes up to bat during a baseball game.
Compact
Shutterstock
When used as an adjective, «compact» means small, but when used as a verb, it means to make something smaller. It can also be used as a noun when talking about a small case for makeup.
Desert
Janelle Lugge/Shutterstock
As a noun, «desert» is a dry, barren area of land where little rain occurs. When used as a verb, the word means to abandon a person or cause.
Fair
ThomasPhoto/Shutterstock
The word «fair» has a few meanings when used as different parts of speech. When used as an adjective, it can describe someone as agreeable, but it can also describe someone who has light skin or hair. As a noun, a «fair» is typically a local event that celebrates a certain person, place, or historical moment.
Lie
Getty
«Lie» could mean to lay down and to tell something untruthful when used as an adjective. If used as a noun, it is a false statement.
Lead
Shutterstock
The word «lead» could be the verb that means to guide someone or something, while the noun version of the word pertains to the metal.
Minute
Maridav/Shutterstock
The word «minute» can be a measure of time or a measurement of how small something is.
Refuse
Susana Vera/Reuters
To decline or accept something is the verb form of «refuse,» while garbage is the noun form.
Project
Shutterstock
The word «project» has several meanings as a verb. It could mean to plan, to throw, or to cast an image on a surface. As a noun, it is a task or piece of work.
Second
Buda Mendes/ Getty
Like the word «minute,» «second» is another measurement of time, while it can also denote the placement of something after the first.
Fine
Flickr/Charleston’s The Digitel
The word «fine» has several meanings, including two different adjectives. First, it can be used to describe something as high quality and second, it can describe something especially thin. As a noun, «fine» means a payment for a violation.
Entrance
Danny Lawson — WPA Pool/Getty Images
When pronounced slightly differently, the word «entrance» has multiple meanings. As a noun, an entrance is a point of access and entry. It could also be used to describe a dramatic arrival, like a bride at her wedding. However, as a verb, to entrance means to bewitch and delight.
Clip
Alexander Baxevanis/Flickr
The verb form of «clip» can actually get quite confusing. The word can actually mean to cut something apart or to attach together. The word even has a noun form, which is an object that helps attach two things.
Overlook
Colin D. Young/Shutterstock
To overlook means to fail to notice something, but when the word is used as a noun, it is a place where you can look down and see from a higher vantage point.
Consult
Mandate Pictures
«Consult» is another one of those tricky words that have two different meanings and they are opposites of each other. «To consult» can mean to seek advice or to give professional advice.
Row
REUTERS/Erik De Castro
As a noun, a «row» means a fight or disagreement. It could also refer to how something is organized into a line. As a verb, «to row» means to propel a boat forward.
Discount
Mike Kemp/ Getty
As a noun, «discount» is a reduction in price and can also be used as a synonym to «on sale.» But when used as a verb, the word means to underestimate someone or something and give them no value.
Wind
Wikimedia Commons
A subtle difference in pronunciation completely changes the word «wind.» It can refer to a flow of air or it can mean to turn.
Contract
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
When used as a noun, «contract» is a written or verbal agreement, but when used as a verb, it means to acquire or to get.
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