What are Homophones?
Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings.
In the English language, there are countless words that sound the same but have completely different meanings. These words are called homophones. Homophones can cause confusion in writing and speaking, so it’s important to be aware of them and use them correctly.
100 Homophones in English
- Ate – Eight
- Bare – Bear
- Brake – Break
- Cell – Sell
- Flour – Flower
- Hair – Hare
- Hear – Here
- Know – No
- Mail – Male
- Meet – Meat
- Morning – Mourning
- Pair – Pear
- Peace – Piece
- Read – Reed
- Right – Write
- Sea – See
- Sun – Son
- Tail – Tale
- Their – There – They’re
- To – Too – Two
- Wait – Weight
- Allowed – Aloud
- Barely – Bearly
- Brake – Brake
- Capital – Capitol
- Ceiling – Sealing
- Cereal – Surreal
- Chord – Cord
- Coarse – Course
- Complement – Compliment
- Days – Daze
- Dear – Deer
- Die – Dye
- Fair – Fare
- Flee – Flea
- For – Four
- Fore – For
- Grate – Great
- Groan – Grown
- Here – Hear
- Holy – Wholly
- Idle – Idol
- Its – It’s
- Knot – Not
- Lead – Led
- Lessen – Lesson
- Made – Maid
- Miner – Minor
- Mist – Missed
- Pail – Pale
- Plane – Plain
- Poor – Pour
- Pray – Prey
- Principal – Principle
- Rain – Rein – Reign
- Rapped – Wrapped
- Road – Rode – Rowed
- Root – Route
- Sail – Sale
- Scene – Seen
- Sew – So – Sow
- Sight – Site – Cite
- Slay – Sleigh
- Sole – Soul
- Stationary – Stationery
- Steal – Steel
- Suite – Sweet
- There – Their – They’re
- Threw – Through
- Vein – Vain
- Waste – Waist
- Weak – Week
- Weather – Whether
- Which – Witch
- Whose – Who’s
- Won – One
- Wood – Would
- Write – Right
- Yew – You
- Your – You’re
- Bored – Board
- Cents – Sense
- Night – Knight
- Whole – Hole
Here are 100 pairs of homophones along with their meanings and examples:
Ate – Eight
Ate – past tense of the verb “eat”
Example: She ate an apple for breakfast.
Eight – the number 8
Example: There are eight planets in the solar system.
Bare – Bear
Bare – uncovered or exposed
Example: The tree branches were bare in winter.
Bear – a large mammal
Example: The grizzly bear roamed through the forest.
Brake – Break
Brake – a device used to slow or stop motion
Example: Apply the brake gently to stop the car.
Break – to separate into pieces or parts
Example: Be careful not to break the glass.
Cell – Sell
Cell – the smallest structural and functional unit of an organism
Example: The human body is made up of trillions of cells.
Sell – to exchange goods for money
Example: She plans to sell her old books online.
Flour – Flower
Flour – a powder made by grinding grains
Example: Use flour to make bread dough.
Flower – the reproductive structure found in flowering plants
Example: The rose is a beautiful flower.
Hair – Hare
Hair – the strands that grow from the skin of humans and animals
Example: She braided her long hair.
Hare – a fast-running mammal resembling a rabbit
Example: The hare darted across the field.
Hear – Here
Hear – to perceive sound through the ears
Example: Can you hear the birds singing?
Here – in or at this place
Example: Come over here and sit next to me.
Know – No
Know – to have information or understanding
Example: I know the answer to that question.
No – opposite of yes
Example: She said no to the invitation.
Mail – Male
Mail – letters and packages sent through postal services
Example: The postman delivered the mail.
Male – the sex that typically has reproductive organs
Example: The peacock is a beautiful male bird.
Meet – Meat
Meet – to come into contact with someone
Example: Let’s meet for coffee tomorrow.
Meat – the flesh of animals used as food
Example: She grilled some chicken meat for dinner.
Morning – Mourning
Morning – the early part of the day before noon
Example: She enjoys taking a walk in the morning.
Mourning – the act of grieving for a deceased person
Example: The family wore black clothes while in mourning.
Pair – Pear
Pair – a set of two things
Example: She bought a pair of shoes.
Pear – a sweet, juicy fruit
Example: He enjoyed eating a ripe green pear.
Peace – Piece
Peace – a state of tranquility or quiet
Example: The two countries signed a treaty to establish peace.
Piece – a part of something
Example: Can I have a piece of chocolate?
Read – Reed
Read – to look at and comprehend written words
Example: She loves to read novels.
Reed – a type of tall, slender grass
Example: The wind rustled through the reeds.
Right – Write
Right – morally correct or just
Example: It’s not right to cheat on exams.
Write – to mark letters or words on paper
Example: He likes to write stories in his free time.
Sea – See
Sea – a large body of saltwater
Example: The ship sailed across the sea.
See – to perceive with the eyes
Example: Can you see the stars in the night sky?
Sun – Son
Sun – the star at the center of our solar system
Example: The sun rises in the east.
Son – a male child or offspring
Example: His son is starting school next year.
Tail – Tale
Tail – the rear end of an animal’s body
Example: The dog wagged its tail happily.
Tale – a fictional story or narrative
Example: She told a fascinating tale about dragons and knights.
Their – There – They’re
Their – possessive form of “they”
Example: Their house is painted blue.
There – in or at that place
Example: The keys are over there on the table.
They’re – contraction of “they are”
Example: They’re going to the movies tonight.
To – Too – Two
To – indicating direction or destination
Example: Let’s go to the park.
Too – also or excessively
Example: She ate too much cake at the party.
Two – the number 2
Example: They have two dogs and a cat.
Wait – Weight
Wait – to stay in place in expectation of something
Example: Please wait for me at the bus stop.
Weight – the measure of heaviness of an object
Example: The suitcase was heavy due to its weight.
Allowed – Aloud
Allowed – given permission to do something
Example: Smoking is not allowed in this building.
Aloud – in a voice that can be heard
Example: She read the poem aloud to the class.
Barely – Bearly
Barely – scarcely or hardly
Example: She barely passed the test.
Bearly – not a common word, but it could refer to bears, the animals.
Example: We spotted a family of bears bearly visible in the distance.
Brake – Brake
Brake – a device for slowing or stopping motion
Example: Press the brake pedal to stop the car.
Break – to separate into pieces or parts
Example: He needs a break from work.
Capital – Capitol
Capital – the city serving as the seat of government
Example: Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States.
Capitol – the building where a legislative body meets
Example: The lawmakers gathered at the state capitol for the session.
Ceiling – Sealing
Ceiling – the upper interior surface of a room
Example: The ceiling of the cathedral was adorned with beautiful paintings.
Sealing – the act of closing or covering something securely
Example: He applied a fresh coat of paint to the sealing.
Cereal – Surreal
Cereal – a breakfast food made from grains
Example: She poured milk over her bowl of cereal.
Surreal – having a dream-like or bizarre quality
Example: The experience was so strange, it felt surreal.
Chord – Cord
Chord – a group of three or more musical notes played together
Example: He strummed the guitar chord.
Cord – a thick string or rope
Example: He tied the package with a sturdy cord.
Coarse – Course
Coarse – rough or of inferior quality
Example: The sandpaper had a coarse texture.
Course – a path or route; also refers to a series of lessons or studies
Example: The ship changed its course to avoid the storm.
Complement – Compliment
Complement – something that completes or enhances something else
Example: The wine was a perfect complement to the meal.
Compliment – a polite expression of praise or admiration
Example: She received a lovely compliment on her dress.
Days – Daze
Days – plural of “day,” referring to a period of 24 hours
Example: There are seven days in a week.
Daze – a state of confusion or bewilderment
Example: The bright lights left her in a daze.
Dear – Deer
Dear – loved or cherished
Example: She wrote a dear letter to her friend.
Deer – a hoofed mammal found in forests
Example: We saw a family of deer in the woods.
Die – Dye
Die – to cease living; a small cube with numbers used in games
Example: All living beings will die eventually.
Dye – a substance used to change the color of something
Example: She used red fabric dye to color her dress.
Fair – Fare
Fair – just or impartial; an event with games, rides, and vendors
Example: It’s important to be fair in all situations.
Fare – the price of a ticket for transportation
Example: What is the fare for a bus ride downtown?
Flee – Flea
Flee – to run away or escape
Example: The deer will flee when it senses danger.
Flea – a small, blood-sucking insect
Example: My dog has a flea infestation.
For – Four
For – indicating purpose or intended recipient
Example: This gift is for you.
Four – the number after three
Example: She has four siblings.
Fore – For
Fore – situated or placed at the front; a golf term referring to the front part of the course
Example: The ship’s fore deck offers a great view.
For – indicating purpose or intended recipient (same as above)
Grate – Great
Grate – a frame of metal bars used for grilling or drainage
Example: Please clean the cheese off the grate after grilling.
Great – very large or impressive
Example: She had a great time at the concert.
Groan – Grown
Groan – a deep, low sound made in response to pain or discomfort
Example: The old floorboards would groan when someone walked on them.
Grown – past participle of “grow”
Example: The plants have grown tall in the garden.
Here – Hear
Here – in or at this place
Example: I am here waiting for you.
Hear – to perceive sound through the ears
Example: Can you hear the birds singing?
Holy – Wholly
Holy – sacred or dedicated to religious purposes
Example: The temple is considered a holy place.
Wholly – entirely or completely
Example: She is wholly committed to her studies.
Idle – Idol
Idle – not active or in use; avoiding work
Example: He sat idle while waiting for the meeting to start.
Idol – an image or representation of a god worshipped as divine
Example: She has an idol of Ganesha in her home.
Its – It’s
Its – possessive form of “it”
Example: The cat licked its paw.
It’s – contraction of “it is” or “it has”
Example: It’s going to rain soon.
Knot – Not
Knot – a fastening made by looping one or more pieces of string or rope
Example: She tied a knot in the shoelace.
Not – expressing negation or denial
Example: She could not attend the party.
Lead – Led
Lead – to guide or direct; a heavy metal
Example: He will lead the team to victory.
Led – past tense of “lead”
Example: She led the group on a hike.
Lessen – Lesson
Lessen – to make or become less
Example: The medication helped to lessen the pain.
Lesson – a period of instruction or learning
Example: She taught a valuable lesson about kindness.
Made – Maid
Made – past tense of “make”
Example: She made a delicious cake.
Maid – a female domestic servant
Example: The maid cleaned the hotel room.
Mail – Male
Mail – letters and packages sent through postal services
Example: She received a package in the mail.
Male – the sex that typically has reproductive organs
Example: The lion is a male.
Meet – Meat
Meet – to come together in one place
Example: Let’s meet for coffee tomorrow.
Meat – the flesh of animals used as food
Example: She grilled some chicken meat for dinner.
Miner – Minor
Miner – a person who works in a mine
Example: The miner extracted coal from the mine.
Minor – lesser in size, extent, or importance
Example: The issue was a minor inconvenience.
Mist – Missed
Mist – fine droplets of water in the air
Example: The morning mist obscured the view.
Missed – failed to hit, catch, or reach
Example: She missed her train this morning.
Pail – Pale
Pail – a bucket
Example: He filled the pail with water from the well.
Pale – light in color
Example: Her face turned pale when she heard the news.
Pair – Pear
Pair – a set of two things
Example: She bought a pair of earrings.
Pear – a sweet, juicy fruit
Example: He enjoys eating a ripe green pear.
Peace – Piece
Peace – freedom from disturbance; absence of war
Example: The treaty brought peace to the region.
Piece – a part of something
Example: She broke off a piece of chocolate.
Plane – Plain
Plane – a flat surface; an aircraft
Example: The table had a smooth plane.
Plain – simple or ordinary
Example: She preferred a plain dress for the occasion.
Poor – Pour
Poor – lacking sufficient money or resources
Example: They lived in a poor neighborhood.
Pour – to flow steadily in a stream
Example: She poured tea into the cup.
Pray – Prey
Pray – to address a deity with earnest request or expression of thanks
Example: They would pray before dinner.
Prey – an animal that is hunted and killed by another for food
Example: The lion stalked its prey.
Principal – Principle
Principal – the head of a school; a fundamental truth or law
Example: The principal addressed the students in the assembly.
Principle – a fundamental truth or proposition
Example: She believed in the principle of honesty.
Rain – Rein – Reign
Rain – water falling from the sky in drops
Example: The rain poured down heavily.
Rein – a strap used to control a horse
Example: Hold the rein firmly while riding.
Reign – the period of rule of a monarch
Example: The queen’s reign lasted for many years.
Rapped – Wrapped
Rapped – hit sharply and quickly
Example: He rapped on the door with his knuckles.
Wrapped – covered or enclosed in paper or soft material
Example: She wrapped the gift with colorful paper.
Road – Rode – Rowed
Road – a wide way leading from one place to another
Example: The road was busy with traffic.
Rode – past tense of “ride”
Example: She rode her bike to school.
Rowed – past tense of “row”
Example: They rowed the boat across the lake.
Root – Route
Root – the part of a plant that attaches it to the ground
Example: The tree’s roots spread far and wide.
Route – a way or course taken in getting from a starting point to a destination
Example: They planned the best route for their road trip.
Sail – Sale
Sail – a piece of fabric attached to a mast to propel a boat
Example: The yacht’s sail billowed in the wind.
Sale – the exchange of goods for money
Example: There was a big sale at the department store.
Scene – Seen
Scene – a sequence of events in a play, movie, or book
Example: The final scene of the movie was very emotional.
Seen – past participle of “see”
Example: Have you seen the new art exhibit?
Sew – So – Sow
Sew – to join or attach by stitches
Example: She learned to sew her own clothes.
So – to such a great extent
Example: It was so hot that they decided to go swimming.
Sow – to plant seeds in the ground
Example: They sow seeds in the garden every spring.
Sight – Site – Cite
Sight – the ability to see; something that is seen
Example: The old man’s sight was failing.
Site – a place where something is located or has been constructed
Example: They chose a beautiful site for their picnic.
Cite – to quote or mention as evidence
Example: She needed to cite her sources in the research paper.
Slay – Sleigh
Slay – to kill violently
Example: The hero vowed to slay the dragon.
Sleigh – a vehicle drawn by horses or reindeer
Example: Santa Claus rides in a sleigh pulled by reindeer.
Sole – Soul
Sole – the underside of a person’s foot; the only one of its kind
Example: She walked on the beach, feeling the sand beneath her sole.
Soul – the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being
Example: Music speaks to the soul.
Stationary – Stationery
Stationary – not moving; fixed in one place
Example: The train remained stationary on the tracks.
Stationery – writing materials such as paper, pens, and envelopes
Example: She bought some new stationery for her office.
Steal – Steel
Steal – to take something without permission or legal right
Example: He tried to steal money from the cash register.
Steel – a hard, strong, gray or bluish-gray alloy of iron with carbon
Example: The bridge was made of sturdy steel.
Suite – Sweet
Suite – a set of rooms designated for one person’s or family’s use
Example: They booked a suite at the luxury hotel.
Sweet – having the pleasant taste characteristic of sugar or honey
Example: She enjoyed eating sweet desserts.
Tail – Tale
Tail – the hindmost part of an animal
Example: The dog wagged its tail happily.
Tale – a fictitious or true narrative or story
Example: She told an interesting tale about her travels.
There – Their – They’re
There – in or at that place
Example: The book is over there on the shelf.
Their – belonging to or associated with the people or things previously mentioned
Example: Their house is painted blue.
They’re – contraction of “they are”
Example: They’re going to the movies tonight.
Threw – Through
Threw – past tense of “throw”
Example: He threw the ball across the yard.
Through – moving in one side and out of the other side of (an opening, channel, or location)
Example: They walked through the forest.
To – Too – Two
To – expressing motion in the direction of (a particular location)
Example: Let’s go to the park.
Too – to a higher degree than is desirable, permissible, or possible
Example: She ate too much cake at the party.
Two – the number after one
Example: They have two dogs and a cat.
Vein – Vain
Vein – a blood vessel; a distinctive quality, style, or tendency
Example: The doctor inserted the needle into the patient’s vein.
Vain – having or showing an excessively high opinion of one’s appearance, abilities, or worth
Example: She was too vain to admit her mistakes.
Waste – Waist
Waste – to use or expend carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose
Example: Don’t waste water during the drought.
Waist – the part of the human body below the ribs and above the hips
Example: She wrapped a belt around her waist.
Weak – Week
Weak – lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; lacking strength
Example: He felt weak after the long illness.
Week – a period of seven days
Example: She will go on vacation next week.
Weather – Whether
Weather – the state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.
Example: The weather is cold and rainy today.
Whether – expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives
Example: I’m not sure whether to go out tonight.
Which – Witch
Which – asking for information specifying one or more people or things from a definite set
Example: Which book would you like to read?
Witch – a woman thought to have magical powers
Example: The witch stirred her cauldron.
Whose – Who’s
Whose – possessive form of “who”
Example: Whose book is this?
Who’s – contraction of “who is” or “who has”
Example: Who’s going to the party tonight?
Won – One
Won – past tense and past participle of “win”
Example: She won the race.
One – the number 1
Example: Can I have one cookie, please?
Wood – Would
Wood – the hard fibrous substance beneath the bark in trees
Example: The table was made of oak wood.
Would – past tense of “will”
Example: She said she would help us with the project.
Write – Right
Write – to mark letters or words on paper
Example: He likes to write stories in his free time.
Right – morally correct or just
Example: It’s not right to cheat on exams.
Yew – You
Yew – a type of tree
Example: The garden was shaded by a large yew tree.
You – referring to the person or people addressed
Example: You should come to the party.
Your – You’re
Your – possessive form of “you”
Example: Is this your pen?
You’re – contraction of “you are”
Example: You’re going to love this movie.
Bored – Board
Bored – feeling weary because one is unoccupied or lacks interest in one’s current activity
Example: She felt bored during the lecture.
Board – a long, thin, flat piece of wood or other hard material
Example: They nailed the sign to the board.
Brake – Brake
Brake – a device used to slow or stop motion
Example: Apply the brake gently to stop the car.
Break – to separate into pieces or parts
Example: Be careful not to break the glass.
Cents – Sense
Cents – plural of “cent,” a monetary unit
Example: She found twenty-five cents on the sidewalk.
Sense – the faculty of perceiving by the senses; understanding
Example: His argument made perfect sense.
Fair – Fare
Fair – just or impartial; an event with games, rides, and vendors
Example: It’s important to be fair in all situations.
Fare – the price of a ticket for transportation
Example: What is the fare for a bus ride downtown?
Flour – Flower
Flour – a powder made by grinding grains
Example: Use flour to make bread dough.
Flower – the reproductive structure found in flowering plants
Example: The rose is a beautiful flower.
Grate – Great
Grate – a frame of metal bars used for grilling or drainage
Example: Please clean the cheese off the grate after grilling.
Great – very large or impressive
Example: She had a great time at the concert.
Hair – Hare
Hair – the strands that grow from the skin of humans and animals
Example: She braided her long hair.
Hare – a fast-running mammal resembling a rabbit
Example: The hare darted across the field.
Mail – Male
Mail – letters and packages sent through postal services
Example: The postman delivered the mail.
Male – the sex that typically has reproductive organs
Example: The peacock is a beautiful male bird.
Night – Knight
Night – the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise
Example: The stars shone brightly in the night sky.
Knight – a medieval soldier granted an honorary title of knighthood
Example: The knight rode bravely into battle.
Sail – Sale
Sail – a piece of fabric attached to a mast to propel a boat
Example: The yacht’s sail billowed in the wind.
Sale – the exchange of goods for money
Example: There was a big sale at the department store.
Tail – Tale
Tail – the rear end of an animal’s body
Example: The dog wagged its tail happily.
Tale – a fictional story or narrative
Example: She told a fascinating tale about dragons and knights.
Sea – See
Sea – a large body of saltwater
Example: The ship sailed across the sea.
See – to perceive with the eyes
Example: Can you see the stars in the night sky?
Threw – Through
Threw – past tense of “throw”
Example: He threw the ball across the yard.
Through – moving in one side and out of the other side of (an opening, channel, or location)
Example: They walked through the forest.
Whole – Hole
Whole – entire; complete
Example: She ate the whole pizza by herself.
Hole – a hollow place in a solid body or surface
Example: Watch out for the hole in the ground.
Homophones can sometimes create confusion in writing, so it’s important to pay attention to context and spelling to ensure clear communication.
