homophonous

Everyday

1. Homophonous words sound exactly the same but have different meanings, and often different spellings, like «pair» and «pear». tree →
2. (music, rare) Homophonous music has one main tune with the other parts moving along with it as chords. tree →

In the lessons

In English and spelling lessons it describes word pairs that trick writers: «there, their, they're», «to, too, two», «knight, night». Teachers use it when explaining why a spell checker will not catch every mistake. Phrases: «homophonous words», «homophonous pairs», «homophonous with».

Examples

• «Pair» and «pear» are homophonous. tree →
• «Knight» is homophonous with «night», so the joke works when you say it aloud. tree →
• Our spelling list this week is full of homophonous words. tree →
• Many jokes and puns depend on homophonous words. tree →
• «Their», «there» and «they're» are homophonous, so check which one you mean. tree →
• A spell checker cannot spot a homophonous slip like «I one the race». tree →
• In some accents «caught» and «court» are homophonous, in others they are not. tree →

Note

Adjective only; the noun is «homophone» (a homophone, homophones). Do not confuse with «homonym» (same spelling and sound, different meaning, like «bat») or «homograph» (same spelling, maybe different sound, like «lead» the metal and «lead» the dog). Whether two words are homophonous can depend on accent (UK, USA, Australia differ).