Definition

Describing words that sound the same but have different meanings or spellings.

Example

The words 'pair' and 'pear' are homophonous, as they are pronounced the same way but have different meanings.

Conversation

I learned something interesting about words today.

Oh really? What was it about?

It was about homophonous words and how they sound the same but have different meanings.

That's cool! I always mix up 'bare' and 'bear' because they sound so alike.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Homophonous → It is formed from "homo-" (from Greek "homos", meaning same) and "phone" (from Greek "phōnē", meaning voice or sound) and the suffix "-ous" (meaning full of). The word "homophonous" describes words that have the same sound but different meanings, thus being full of the same sound.

Memory Tip

Think of 'same' ('homo-') sounds ('phone') — that's why homophonous refers to words that sound the same.

Visually Confused Words