Homophones

Homophones are words that sound alike but have different meanings. They may be spelled differently or the same. When two words share pronunciation but have the same spelling with different meanings, they are often also described as homographs; if they are pronounced differently, they are heteronyms. The term homophone emphasizes the phonology rather than spelling.

Common examples in English include there/their/they’re; two/to/too; knight/night; sea/see; flour/flower; pear/pair/pare. Because they share pronunciation, homophones can create ambiguity in spoken language, making context essential for interpretation. In writing, spelling usually clarifies meaning, but even in well-edited text readers rely on surrounding words to resolve which form is intended.

In education and lexicography, recognizing and correctly using homophones supports reading fluency, spelling accuracy, and vocabulary development. Dictionaries often provide phonetic transcriptions to help distinguish between words that sound identical. In linguistics, homophony is examined as a feature of phonology and lexicon, arising from historical sound changes, simplification of spelling, and other language processes. Learners frequently practice minimal pairs and context-rich exercises to reduce confusion and improve both listening and spelling skills.