Homonym vs. Homophone — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 25, 2023
Homonyms are words that share spelling or pronunciation but have different meanings; homophones sound alike but may differ in spelling and meaning.
Difference Between Homonym and Homophone
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Homonyms and homophones are concepts in linguistics that deal with words that have similarities. Homonyms can be a little trickier to define since they are words that either sound alike or are spelled alike (or both) but have different meanings. For example, the word "bat" can refer to a piece of sports equipment or a nocturnal flying mammal. Both the pronunciation and spelling are identical, but the meanings are different.
Homophones, on the other hand, specifically refer to words that sound the same but may have different spellings and meanings. Take "flour" and "flower" as examples. Both words sound identical when spoken aloud but have entirely different meanings and spellings. Here, the focus is on the phonetic similarity, not the spelling.
It's worth noting that all homophones are homonyms because they sound alike, but not all homonyms are homophones. Some homonyms are spelled the same but don't sound alike, like "lead" (to guide) and "lead" (a type of metal). Here, homonyms aren't homophones because of the different pronunciations.
In daily conversation, people might use homonyms and homophones without even realizing it. However, for writers, editors, and language learners, understanding the difference between them is crucial. The distinction ensures clarity in communication and prevents potential misunderstandings.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Words that share spelling or pronunciation but have different meanings.
Words that sound alike but may have different spellings and meanings.
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Relation to Sound
Can sound the same or different.
Always sound the same.
Relation to Spelling
Can be spelled the same or differently.
Can be spelled the same or differently.
Example
"Lead" (to guide) and "lead" (a metal).
"Flour" and "flower".
Inclusivity
A broader term that includes homophones.
A subset of homonyms.
Compare with Definitions
Homonym
Words that are spelled the same but sound different and have different meanings.
The word lead can mean to guide or a type of metal.
Homophone
Words that sound the same but may have different spellings and meanings.
Flour and flower are homophones.
Homonym
A linguistic term for words that can cause confusion because of similarities in spelling or pronunciation.
The term tear can mean a drop of liquid from the eye or to rip something.
Homophone
Words that can lead to auditory confusion but differ in spelling or meaning.
Knight and night are homophones.
Homonym
Words that may sound or look alike but differ in meaning.
Bark can refer to the sound a dog makes or the outer covering of a tree.
Homophone
Specific category of homonyms focusing on identical sound.
Brake (to stop) and break (to shatter) are homophones.
Homonym
Words that sound alike and are spelled alike but have different meanings.
The word bat can mean a flying mammal or a piece of sports equipment.
Homophone
Words with phonetic similarities but distinct meanings or spellings.
Sole (of a shoe) and soul (spirit) are homophones.
Homonym
Words that may or may not share the same spelling or pronunciation but have different meanings.
Bow can refer to a type of knot or a weapon for shooting arrows.
Homophone
A homophone is a word that is pronounced the same (to varying extent) as another word but differs in meaning. A homophone may also differ in spelling.
Homonym
In linguistics, homonyms, broadly defined, are words which are homographs (words that share the same spelling, regardless of pronunciation) or homophones (words that share the same pronunciation, regardless of spelling), or both. For example, according to this definition, the words row (propel with oars), row (argument) and row (a linear arrangement) are homonyms, as are the words see (vision) and sea (body of water).
Homophone
Each of two or more words having the same pronunciation but different meanings, origins, or spelling.
Homonym
Each of two or more words having the same spelling or pronunciation but different meanings and origins.
Homophone
One of two or more words, such as night and knight, that are pronounced the same but differ in meaning, origin, and sometimes spelling.
Homonym
One of two or more words that have the same sound and often the same spelling but differ in meaning, such as bank (embankment) and bank (place where money is kept).
Homophone
(semantics) A word which is pronounced the same as another word but differs in spelling or meaning or origin.
Homonym
A word used to designate several different things.
Homophone
A letter or group of letters which are pronounced the same as another letter or group of letters.
Homonym
A namesake.
Homophone
A letter or character which expresses a like sound with another.
Homonym
(Biology) A taxonomic name identical to one previously applied to a different species or other taxon and therefore unacceptable in its new use.
Homophone
A word having the same sound as another, but differing from it in meaning and usually in spelling; as, all and awl; bare and bear; rite, write, right, and wright.
Homonym
A word that both sounds and is spelled the same as another word.
Homophone
Two words are homophones if they are pronounced the same way but differ in meaning or spelling or both (e.g. bare and bear)
Homonym
(loosely) A word that sounds or is spelled the same as another word (but not necessarily both), technically called a homophone (same sound, different spelling) or a homograph (same spelling, different sound), or if both are the same, a homonym.
Homophone
Linguistic term for words that have the same pronunciation.
Two, to, and too are all homophones.
Homonym
(taxonomy) A name for a taxon that is identical in spelling to another name that belongs to a different taxon.
Homonym
A word having the same sound as another, but differing from it in meaning; as the noun bear and the verb bear.
Homonym
Two words are homonyms if they are pronounced or spelled the same way but have different meanings
Common Curiosities
What's an example of a homonym?
"Bat" – it can refer to a flying mammal or a sports equipment.
Do homonyms always sound the same?
No, homonyms can sound the same or different.
What makes a word a homophone?
Words that sound identical, regardless of spelling or meaning, are homophones.
Which is broader: homonyms or homophones?
Homonyms, as the category includes homophones.
Can homophones have the same spelling?
Yes, homophones can be spelled the same or differently.
Are homonyms strictly about sound?
No, homonyms can relate to sound or spelling or both.
Are all homophones also homonyms?
Yes, all homophones are homonyms, but not all homonyms are homophones.
Can a word be both a homonym and a homophone?
Yes, like "bare" (without covering) and "bear" (the animal).
Is "there" and "their" an example of homonyms or homophones?
They are homophones, as they sound the same but have different meanings and spellings.
Why is understanding homonyms and homophones important?
It ensures clarity in communication and prevents misunderstandings.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
