homophone

noun

ho·​mo·​phone ˈhä-mə-ˌfōn 

ˈhō-

1

grammar : one of two or more words pronounced alike but different in meaning or derivation or spelling (such as the words to, too, and two)

2

: a character or group of characters pronounced the same as another character or group

homophonous

hō-ˈmä-fə-nəs 

adjective

Did you know?

What are homonyms, homophones, and homographs?

Homonym can be troublesome because it may refer to three distinct classes of 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). Finally, they may be words that are spelled alike but are different in pronunciation and meaning, such as the bow of a ship and bow that shoots arrows. The first and second types are sometimes called homophones, and the second and third types are sometimes called homographs—which makes naming the second type a bit confusing. Some language scholars prefer to limit homonym to the third type.

Examples of homophone in a Sentence

“To,” “too,” and “two” are homophones.

Recent Examples on the Web

On other days, the game may revolve around synonyms or homophones. —Paul Tassi, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

The puzzles are not always straightforward and use a range of possible associations from homophones and wordplay, among other techniques. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Retail investors in China are known for trading in stocks based on homophones — words that sound similar to another name or a phrase. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Asia, 30 Oct. 2024

Today’s groups are... Yellow group — cook with heat and water Green group — common perfume ingredients Blue group — characters with pet dogs Purple group — capital city homophones What Are Today’s Connections Answers? Spoiler alert! —Kris Holt, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024

However, the puzzles are rarely straightforward, using homophones and wordplay, among other techniques, to keep things interesting. —Kendra Stanton Lee, Newsweek, 9 July 2024

Often the groupings are tricky, based on slang usages, alternative definitions, and homophones. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 2 July 2024

Chinese investors are known for speculative trading based on such homophones. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Asia, 28 June 2024

The German word for goose is Gans, a homophone of our surname. —John Ganz, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

homophone

noun

ho·​mo·​phone ˈhäm-ə-ˌfōn 

ˈhō-mə-

: one of two or more words pronounced alike but different in meaning, origin, or spelling

"to," "too," and "two" are homophones

homophonic

ˌhäm-ə-ˈfän-ik

ˌhō-mə

-ˈfō-nik

adjective

homophonous

hō-ˈmäf-ə-nəs 

adjective