Homophones Examples

Homophones Examples

Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. They can often lead to confusion, especially in written language.

List of Homophones Examples

Homophones with meaning and sentences

• Ail – Ale
  • Ail: To suffer from illness.
    • He was starting to ail after the long journey.
  • Ale: A type of beer.
    • They served local ale at the pub.

• Air – Heir
  • Air: The invisible gaseous substance surrounding Earth.
    • She opened the window to let in some fresh air.
  • Heir: A person who inherits something.
    • He is the heir to his father’s estate.

• Aisle – Isle
  • Aisle: A passage between rows of seats.
    • She walked down the aisle in the church.
  • Isle: A small island.
    • They spent their vacation on a remote isle.

• Allowed – Aloud
  • Allowed: Permitted.
    • Pets are not allowed in the restaurant.
  • Aloud: Spoken out loud.
    • She read the story aloud to the class.

• Altar – Alter
  • Altar: A table used in religious ceremonies.
    • They placed flowers on the altar.
  • Alter: To change something.
    • He had to alter his travel plans.

• Arc – Ark
  • Arc: A part of a curve.
    • The bridge forms an arc over the river.
  • Ark: A large boat or vessel.
    • Noah built an ark to survive the flood.

• Ascent – Assent
  • Ascent: The act of rising or climbing.
    • The ascent to the mountain peak was challenging.
  • Assent: Agreement or approval.
    • He nodded in assent.

• Ate – Eight
  • Ate: Past tense of eat.
    • She ate breakfast at 7 a.m.
  • Eight: The number 8.
    • They arrived at eight o’clock.

• Aught – Ought
  • Aught: Anything or nothing.
    • If you need aught, let me know.
  • Ought: Should.
    • You ought to apologize.

• Band – Banned
  • Band: A group of musicians.
    • The band played at the concert.
  • Banned: Forbidden.
    • Smoking is banned in public places.

• Bare – Bear
  • Bare: Without covering.
    • He walked barefoot on the sand.
  • Bear: A large mammal.
    • They spotted a bear in the woods.

• Barr – Bar
  • Barr: A surname or title.
    • The lawyer, Mr. Barr, presented the case.
  • Bar: A counter where drinks are served.
    • They met at the bar for a drink.

• Be – Bee
  • Be: To exist.
    • To be or not to be, that is the question.
  • Bee: An insect that makes honey.
    • The bee buzzed around the flowers.

• Beach – Beech
  • Beach: A sandy shore by the sea.
    • They spent the day at the beach.
  • Beech: A type of tree.
    • The beech tree provided shade.

• Beat – Beet
  • Beat: To strike repeatedly.
    • She beat the drum loudly.
  • Beet: A type of vegetable.
    • They made salad with fresh beet.

• Beau – Bow
  • Beau: A boyfriend or admirer.
    • She introduced her beau to her family.
  • Bow: To bend forward.
    • He gave a bow after his performance.

• Beer – Bier
  • Beer: An alcoholic drink.
    • He ordered a cold beer at the bar.
  • Bier: A frame for carrying a coffin.
    • They placed the coffin on the bier.

• Bell – Belle
  • Bell: A hollow object that makes a ringing sound.
    • She rang the bell to get attention.
  • Belle: A beautiful woman.
    • She was the belle of the ball.

• Berth – Birth
  • Berth: A sleeping place on a ship or train.
    • He booked a berth on the sleeper train.
  • Birth: The act of being born.
    • They celebrated the birth of their child.

• Bight – Bite
  • Bight: A bend in a coast.
    • They sailed around the bight of the bay.
  • Bite: To use teeth to cut.
    • He took a big bite of the apple.

• Billed – Build
  • Billed: Charged an amount.
    • He was billed for the repairs.
  • Build: To construct.
    • They plan to build a new house.

• Blue – Blew
  • Blue: A color.
    • She wore a blue dress.
  • Blew: Past tense of blow.
    • The wind blew all night.

• Boar – Bore
  • Boar: A wild pig.
    • The hunters saw a boar in the forest.
  • Bore: To make someone uninterested.
    • He tends to bore people with his stories.

• Board – Bored
  • Board: A flat piece of wood or other material.
    • They nailed the board to the wall.
  • Bored: Feeling uninterested.
    • She felt bored during the lecture.

• Bold – Bowled
  • Bold: Courageous or daring.
    • He made a bold decision.
  • Bowled: Past tense of bowl, as in a game.
    • She bowled a strike.

• Bough – Bow
  • Bough: A large branch of a tree.
    • The squirrel leapt from one bough to another.
  • Bow: To bend forward as a gesture of respect.
    • He gave a polite bow to the audience.

• Brake – Break
  • Brake: A device for slowing or stopping a vehicle.
    • He stepped on the brake to avoid hitting the deer.
  • Break: To separate into pieces.
    • Be careful not to break the glass.

• Bread – Bred
  • Bread: A staple food made from flour and water.
    • She baked fresh bread every morning.
  • Bred: Past tense of breed, meaning to produce offspring.
    • They bred horses on the farm.

• Brewed – Brood
  • Brewed: Made by soaking, boiling, and fermenting.
    • He brewed a pot of strong coffee.
  • Brood: A family of young animals, especially birds.
    • The hen protected her brood of chicks.

• Bridal – Bridle
  • Bridal: Related to a bride or wedding.
    • She chose a beautiful dress for her bridal shower.
  • Bridle: A harness for controlling a horse.
    • He put the bridle on the horse before riding.

• Burrow – Borough
  • Burrow: A hole or tunnel dug by a small animal.
    • The rabbit disappeared into its burrow.
  • Borough: An administrative division in a town or city.
    • She lives in the borough of Brooklyn.

• But – Butt
  • But: Used to introduce a contrasting idea.
    • He wanted to join, but he was too tired.
  • Butt: The thick end of something.
    • He put out his cigarette butt in the ashtray.

• Buy – By
  • Buy: To purchase something.
    • She decided to buy the new phone.
  • By: Indicates the means or agency of an action.
    • They traveled by car.

• Call – Caul
  • Call: To speak or shout to someone.
    • He decided to call his friend.
  • Caul: The membrane covering a fetus at birth.
    • The baby was born with a caul.

• Canon – Cannon
  • Canon: A collection of literary or artistic works.
    • The novel is part of the literary canon.
  • Cannon: A large, heavy gun used in warfare.
    • They fired the cannon during the reenactment.

• Capital – Capitol
  • Capital: A city that serves as the center of government.
    • Paris is the capital of France.
  • Capitol: A building where the legislature meets.
    • The capitol building is a historic landmark.

• Carat – Carrot
  • Carat: A unit of weight for precious stones.
    • The ring has a 2-carat diamond.
  • Carrot: An orange root vegetable.
    • She added a carrot to the salad.

• Cast – Caste
  • Cast: To throw something.
    • She cast her fishing line into the lake.
  • Caste: A social class or level.
    • The caste system has different levels.

• Cede – Seed
  • Cede: To give up power or territory.
    • The country decided to cede the disputed land.
  • Seed: A plant embryo that can grow into a new plant.
    • They planted a seed in the garden.

• Cell – Sell
  • Cell: A small room or basic unit of life.
    • He was held in a prison cell.
  • Sell: To exchange for money.
    • They decided to sell their car.

• Cent – Scent
  • Cent: A unit of currency.
    • The item costs fifty cents.
  • Scent: A smell or odor.
    • She loved the scent of roses.

• Cere – Seer
  • Cere: To wrap in waxed cloth.
    • The document was carefully cered and sealed.
  • Seer: A person who sees or predicts the future.
    • The seer made a prophecy about the king.

• Chased – Chaste
  • Chased: Pursued or followed.
    • The cat chased the mouse around the room.
  • Chaste: Pure or virtuous.
    • She led a chaste life, free from vice.

• Choir – Quire
  • Choir: A group of singers.
    • The church choir sang beautifully.
  • Quire: 25 sheets of paper.
    • He bought a quire of high-quality paper.

• Cite – Sight
  • Cite: To quote or refer to something.
    • He had to cite several sources in his paper.
  • Sight: The ability to see.
    • The sight of the mountains took his breath away.

• Clause – Claws
  • Clause: A part of a sentence.
    • The contract had a special clause about termination.
  • Claws: The sharp nails of an animal.
    • The cat sharpened its claws on the tree.

• Climb – Clime
  • Climb: To go up or ascend.
    • They decided to climb the hill.
  • Clime: A region with a particular climate.
    • He moved to a warmer clime for his health.

• Close – Clothes
  • Close: To shut.
    • Please close the door behind you.
  • Clothes: Items worn to cover the body.
    • She bought new clothes for the trip.

• Coarse – Course
  • Coarse: Rough in texture.
    • The fabric felt coarse against her skin.
  • Course: A path or direction.
    • They plotted their course across the sea.

• Complement – Compliment
  • Complement: Something that completes or goes well with something.
    • The wine was a perfect complement to the meal.
  • Compliment: An expression of praise.
    • She received a compliment on her new dress.

• Counsel – Council
  • Counsel: Advice or guidance.
    • She sought legal counsel before signing the contract.
  • Council: An assembly or advisory body.
    • The city council met to discuss the new regulations.

• Creak – Creek
  • Creak: A squeaky sound, often from wood.
    • The old door creaked as it opened.
  • Creek: A small stream.
    • They set up their tent by the creek.

• Cue – Queue
  • Cue: A signal for action.
    • That was his cue to start the music.
  • Queue: A line of people or things.
    • There was a long queue at the ticket counter.

• Dear – Deer
  • Dear: Loved or cherished.
    • She is very dear to me.
  • Deer: A wild animal with antlers.
    • They spotted a deer in the forest.

• Dew – Due
  • Dew: Tiny drops of water on surfaces in the morning.
    • The grass was wet with morning dew.
  • Due: Expected or required.
    • The assignment is due tomorrow.

• Die – Dye
  • Die: To cease living.
    • The plant will die without water.
  • Dye: To color something.
    • She decided to dye her hair red.

• Discreet – Discrete
  • Discreet: Tactful or careful in actions.
    • He was discreet about his plans.
  • Discrete: Separate or distinct.
    • The data was divided into discrete categories.

• Doe – Dough
  • Doe: A female deer.
    • The doe and her fawn grazed peacefully.
  • Dough: A mixture of flour and water used in baking.
    • She kneaded the dough to make bread.

• Dual – Duel
  • Dual: Consisting of two parts.
    • She has dual citizenship.
  • Duel: A formal fight between two people.
    • The rivals decided to settle their differences in a duel.

• Earn – Urn
  • Earn: To receive money for work done.
    • She works hard to earn a living.
  • Urn: A container, often for holding ashes.
    • The urn held her grandmother’s ashes.

• Elicit – Illicit
  • Elicit: To draw out a response.
    • The teacher tried to elicit answers from the students.
  • Illicit: Illegal or forbidden by law.
    • They were caught engaging in illicit activities.

• Eye – I
  • Eye: The organ of sight.
    • He has a sharp eye for detail.
  • I: The pronoun used for oneself.
    • I enjoy reading books.

• Faun – Fawn
  • Faun: A mythical creature, part human, part goat.
    • The statue depicted a faun playing a flute.
  • Fawn: A young deer.
    • The fawn followed closely behind its mother.

• Ferry – Fairy
  • Ferry: A boat that carries people or goods.
    • They took a ferry across the river.
  • Fairy: A mythical creature with magical powers.
    • The child believed in fairies.

• Find – Fined
  • Find: To locate or discover.
    • She was thrilled to find her lost ring.
  • Fined: To be penalized with a monetary charge.
    • He was fined for parking illegally.

• Fir – Fur
  • Fir: A type of evergreen tree.
    • The forest was full of tall fir trees.
  • Fur: The hair on an animal’s body.
    • The cat’s fur was soft and fluffy.

• Flea – Flee
  • Flea: A small, parasitic insect.
    • The dog had to be treated for fleas.
  • Flee: To run away from danger.
    • The villagers had to flee from the wildfire.

• Flew – Flu
  • Flew: Past tense of fly.
    • The birds flew south for the winter.
  • Flu: Short for influenza, an illness.
    • He stayed home because he had the flu.

• Floe – Flow
  • Floe: A large sheet of floating ice.
    • The polar bear rested on the ice floe.
  • Flow: The movement of a liquid.
    • The river flow was calm and steady.

• Flour – Flower
  • Flour: A powder made by grinding grains.
    • She used flour to bake the cake.
  • Flower: The blossom of a plant.
    • The garden was full of blooming flowers.

• For – Four
  • For: A preposition used to indicate purpose.
    • She brought a gift for her friend.
  • Four: The number after three.
    • There are four apples on the table.

• Fore – Four
  • Fore: Toward the front.
    • The fore part of the ship was damaged.
  • Four: The number after three.
    • She has four books on her desk.

• Forth – Fourth
  • Forth: Outward or forward.
    • They set forth on their journey.
  • Fourth: The ordinal number after third.
    • Her birthday is on the fourth of July.

• Gait – Gate
  • Gait: A person’s manner of walking.
    • He had a slow, steady gait.
  • Gate: A hinged barrier used to close an opening.
    • She opened the gate to enter the garden.

• Gilt – Guilt
  • Gilt: Covered with gold or golden color.
    • The frame was gilt and looked elegant.
  • Guilt: A feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing.
    • He felt a deep sense of guilt for his actions.

Grate – Great

• Grate: To shred something, usually food.
  • She will grate the cheese for the pasta.
• Great: Excellent or large.
  • It was a great experience.

Grease – Greece

• Grease: A fatty or oily substance.
  • There’s grease on the kitchen counter.
• Greece: A country in southeastern Europe.
  • They traveled to Greece last summer.

Groan – Grown

• Groan: A sound made out of pain or frustration.
  • He let out a groan when he stubbed his toe.
• Grown: Having increased in size or maturity.
  • She has grown so much over the years.

Guessed – Guest

• Guessed: Made an assumption.
  • She guessed the answer to the question.
• Guest: A visitor.
  • We have a guest staying with us this weekend.

Hair – Hare

• Hair: The strands that grow on a person’s head.
  • Her hair is very long.
• Hare: A fast, long-eared animal similar to a rabbit.
  • They saw a hare in the field.

Hall – Haul

• Hall: A large room or corridor.
  • They walked down the hall to their classroom.
• Haul: To pull or drag something.
  • They haul the fishing nets onto the boat.

Hangar – Hanger

• Hangar: A structure where aircraft are stored.
  • The airplane is parked in the hangar.
• Hanger: An item used to hang clothes.
  • She put her coat on a hanger.

Hart – Heart

• Hart: A male deer.
  • They spotted a hart in the forest.
• Heart: The organ that pumps blood.
  • His heart was racing.

Heal – Heel

• Heal: To make or become healthy again.
  • The wound took a long time to heal.
• Heel: The back part of the foot.
  • Her heel was sore from the new shoes.

Hear – Here

• Hear: To perceive sound.
  • Can you hear the music?
• Here: In this place.
  • Come over here.

Heard – Herd

• Heard: Past tense of “hear.”
  • I heard a strange noise.
• Herd: A group of animals.
  • They saw a herd of cattle.

Hew – Hue

• Hew: To chop or cut.
  • They hew logs for the fire.
• Hue: A color or shade.
  • The sky had a pink hue.

Higher – Hire

• Higher: Comparative of “high.”
  • The mountain is higher than the hill.
• Hire: To employ someone.
  • They decided to hire a new manager.

Him – Hymn

• Him: Refers to a male person.
  • I spoke to him yesterday.
• Hymn: A song of praise.
  • The choir sang a beautiful hymn.

Hoard – Horde

• Hoard: To store items in excess.
  • She likes to hoard books.
• Horde: A large group of people.
  • A horde of fans gathered at the concert.

Hole – Whole

• Hole: An opening or gap.
  • There’s a hole in my sock.
• Whole: Entire or complete.
  • I read the whole book in one day.

Holy – Wholly

• Holy: Sacred or religious.
  • The church is a holy place.
• Wholly: Completely.
  • She was wholly convinced.

Hour – Our

• Hour: A unit of time.
  • The movie lasted two hours.
• Our: Belonging to us.
  • This is our house.

Idle – Idol

• Idle: Not active or in use.
  • The car engine was idle.
• Idol: A person or object of worship.
  • She is a pop idol.

Incite – Insight

• Incite: To encourage or stir up.
  • His speech may incite a reaction.
• Insight: Understanding of a situation.
  • She offered valuable insight.

Jam – Jamb

• Jam: A sweet spread or a traffic block.
  • She put jam on her toast.
• Jamb: The side post of a doorway.
  • The door jamb needs fixing.

Jewel – Joule

• Jewel: A precious stone.
  • She wore a necklace with a blue jewel.
• Joule: A unit of energy.
  • The engine uses several joules of energy.

Kernel – Colonel

• Kernel: A seed or core part.
  • She found a kernel of corn.
• Colonel: A high-ranking military officer.
  • The colonel gave an inspiring speech.

Key – Quay

• Key: A tool for unlocking.
  • She found the key to the door.
• Quay: A dock for ships.
  • The boat is anchored at the quay.

Knave – Nave

• Knave: A dishonest person.
  • He acted like a knave.
• Nave: The central part of a church.
  • They walked down the nave of the cathedral.

Knead – Need

• Knead: To work dough or clay into a smooth mixture.
  • She kneads the dough to make bread.
• Need: To require something.
  • I need a pen to write.

Knew – New

• Knew: Past tense of “know.”
  • I knew the answer to the question.
• New: Something recently made or discovered.
  • She bought a new dress.

Knight – Night

• Knight: A medieval warrior.
  • The knight rode on horseback.
• Night: The time when it is dark.
  • They went for a walk at night.

Knot – Not

• Knot: A tied or tangled loop.
  • He tied a knot in the rope.
• Not: Used to indicate negation.
  • I am not going to the party.

Know – No

• Know: To have knowledge of something.
  • I know the answer.
• No: A negative response.
  • She said no to the offer.

Lade – Laid

• Lade: To load or burden.
  • They lade the boat with supplies.
• Laid: Past tense of “lay.”
  • He laid the book on the table.

Lain – Lane

• Lain: Past participle of “lie.”
  • She had lain there all night.
• Lane: A narrow road or path.
  • They drove down the country lane.

Lay – Lei

• Lay: To put or place something down.
  • She lay the book on the table.
• Lei: A Hawaiian flower necklace.
  • He wore a lei during the ceremony.

Lead – Led

• Lead: A metal element.
  • The pipes are made of lead.
• Led: Past tense of “lead.”
  • He led the team to victory.

Leak – Leek

• Leak: An unintended hole or crack.
  • There’s a leak in the roof.
• Leek: A type of vegetable.
  • She added a leek to the soup.

Lean – Lien

• Lean: To rest or incline.
  • He leaned against the wall.
• Lien: A legal claim on property.
  • The bank had a lien on the house.

Leased – Least

• Leased: Rented out.
  • They leased the apartment for a year.
• Least: Smallest in size or importance.
  • He is the least worried about the exam.

Lessen – Lesson

• Lessen: To reduce.
  • Taking breaks can lessen stress.
• Lesson: A period of instruction.
  • Today’s math lesson was challenging.

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Lie – Lye

• Lie: To recline or be dishonest.
  • She likes to lie on the beach. / He told a lie.
• Lye: A strong alkaline solution.
  • Lye is used in soap-making.

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Links – Lynx

• Links: Connections or golf courses.
  • He sent me links to several articles.
• Lynx: A wild cat with a short tail and tufts on its ears.
  • They saw a lynx in the zoo.

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Loan – Lone

• Loan: Money borrowed.
  • He took out a loan for his car.
• Lone: Single or solitary.
  • She was the lone person on the trail.

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Made – Maid

• Made: Past tense of “make.”
  • She made a delicious cake.
• Maid: A person employed to clean.
  • They hired a maid to help with the house.

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Mail – Male

• Mail: Letters and packages.
  • The mail arrived this morning.
• Male: Refers to the male gender.
  • The male bird has bright feathers.

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Main – Mane

• Main: Primary or most important.
  • The main reason is to save money.
• Mane: Long hair on the neck of an animal.
  • The horse has a beautiful mane.

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Maize – Maze

• Maize: Corn.
  • Maize is a staple crop in many countries.
• Maze: A complex network of paths.
  • They got lost in the maze.

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Mall – Maul

• Mall: A shopping center.
  • They went to the mall to shop.
• Maul: To attack or handle roughly.
  • The bear mauled the tent.

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Marshal – Martial

• Marshal: A high-ranking officer.
  • The marshal directed the parade.
• Martial: Related to war or combat.
  • He trained in martial arts.

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Manner – Manor

• Manner: Way of doing something.
  • He has a polite manner.
• Manor: A large country house.
  • They visited the old manor.

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Mantle – Mantel

• Mantle: A cloak or covering layer.
  • Snow formed a mantle on the trees.
• Mantel: The shelf above a fireplace.
  • She placed photos on the mantel.

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Mark – Marque

• Mark: A sign or indication.
  • He left a mark on the paper.
• Marque: A brand or make, especially of a car.
  • The marque is known for its luxury cars.

Marries – Marries

• Marries: To unite in marriage.
  • He marries his fiancée next month.

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Meat – Meet

• Meat: Edible flesh.
  • They served roast meat for dinner.
• Meet: To come into the presence of someone.
  • Let’s meet at the coffee shop.

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Medal – Metal

• Medal: An award for achievement.
  • She won a gold medal in swimming.
• Metal: A hard, shiny material like iron or gold.
  • The sculpture is made of metal.

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Mews – Muse

• Mews: Soft cries made by cats.
  • The kitten mews for attention.
• Muse: To think deeply or be absorbed in thought.
  • He likes to muse on philosophical ideas.

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Might – Mite

• Might: Strength or power.
  • He used all his might to lift the box.
• Mite: A tiny insect or small amount.
  • There’s a tiny mite on the leaf.

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Miner – Minor

• Miner: A person who works in a mine.
  • The miner works deep underground.
• Minor: Underage or of lesser importance.
  • The injuries were only minor.

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Moan – Mown

• Moan: To make a low sound of pain or distress.
  • He let out a moan after he hurt his leg.
• Mown: Cut down (usually grass).
  • The lawn was freshly mown.

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Morning – Mourning

• Morning: The early part of the day.
  • She goes for a jog every morning.
• Mourning: The expression of sorrow after a loss.
  • He was in mourning after his friend passed away.

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Muscle – Mussel

• Muscle: Tissue in the body that causes movement.
  • He strained a muscle during exercise.
• Mussel: A type of shellfish.
  • They enjoyed mussels for dinner.

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Mustard – Mustered

• Mustard: A yellow condiment.
  • He added mustard to his sandwich.
• Mustered: Gathered or assembled.
  • The soldiers mustered for roll call.

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Naval – Navel

• Naval: Related to ships or the navy.
  • He is a naval officer.
• Navel: The belly button.
  • She has a small piercing on her navel.

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Nay – Neigh

• Nay: Another word for “no.”
  • The answer was nay.
• Neigh: The sound a horse makes.
  • The horse let out a loud neigh.

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None – Nun

• None: Not any.
  • None of the answers were correct.
• Nun: A woman who belongs to a religious order.
  • The nun dedicated her life to helping others.

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Oar – Ore

• Oar: A tool used for rowing a boat.
  • He used the oar to steer the boat.
• Ore: A mineral from which metal is extracted.
  • The miners extracted ore from the mountain.

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Oh – Owe

• Oh: An expression of surprise.
  • Oh, I didn’t know that!
• Owe: To have a debt to someone.
  • I owe him $20.

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Pail – Pale

• Pail: A bucket.
  • She filled the pail with water.
• Pale: Light in color or lacking intensity.
  • His face turned pale when he heard the news.

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Pain – Pane

• Pain: Physical or emotional discomfort.
  • She felt pain in her ankle.
• Pane: A single sheet of glass in a window.
  • The window pane was cracked.

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Pair – Pear

• Pair: Two of something.
  • She bought a new pair of shoes.
• Pear: A type of fruit.
  • He sliced a ripe pear for dessert.

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Palace – Pallet

• Palace: A large, grand residence.
  • The king lives in a palace.
• Pallet: A flat transport structure.
  • The warehouse was filled with pallets of goods.

---

Passed – Past

• Passed: Moved by or succeeded in.
  • He passed the test with flying colors.
• Past: The time before the present.
  • They reflected on events from the past.

---

Patience – Patients

• Patience: The ability to wait calmly.
  • She has great patience with her students.
• Patients: People receiving medical care.
  • The doctor saw ten patients today.

---

Pause – Paws

• Pause: To temporarily stop.
  • She took a pause to catch her breath.
• Paws: The feet of an animal.
  • The dog’s paws were muddy.

---

Peace – Piece

• Peace: A state of tranquility.
  • They hoped for peace between the nations.
• Piece: A portion or part.
  • Can I have a piece of cake?

---

Peak – Peek

• Peak: The highest point.
  • They reached the peak of the mountain.
• Peek: To glance quickly.
  • She took a quick peek at the gift.

---

Pedal – Peddle

• Pedal: A foot-operated lever.
  • He pressed the pedal to speed up.
• Peddle: To sell items door-to-door.
  • He peddles handmade jewelry.

Peer – Pier

• Peer: A person of the same age, status, or ability.
  • He enjoys spending time with his peers.
• Pier: A structure extending into water for boats to dock.
  • They walked along the pier to watch the sunset.

---

Plain – Plane

• Plain: Simple or without decoration.
  • She wore a plain dress to the event.
• Plane: An aircraft or a flat surface.
  • The plane took off at dawn.

---

Plum – Plumb

• Plum: A type of fruit.
  • She picked a ripe plum from the tree.
• Plumb: To measure depth or to be exactly vertical.
  • The carpenter checked if the wall was plumb.

---

Pole – Poll

• Pole: A long, slender piece of wood or metal.
  • They used a pole to set up the tent.
• Poll: A survey or vote.
  • The poll showed high support for the candidate.

---

Pore – Pour

• Pore: To study closely or a small opening on the skin.
  • She pored over the book for hours.
• Pour: To cause a liquid to flow.
  • He poured water into the glass.

---

Praise – Prays

• Praise: To express admiration or approval.
  • The teacher praised the student’s hard work.
• Prays: Acts of worship or request to a deity.
  • She prays every morning.

---

Pray – Prey

• Pray: To communicate with a deity.
  • He went to the temple to pray.
• Prey: An animal hunted for food.
  • The lion stalked its prey.

---

Principal – Principle

• Principal: The head of a school or main item.
  • The principal addressed the students.
• Principle: A fundamental belief or rule.
  • Honesty is a key principle in life.

---

Profit – Prophet

• Profit: Financial gain.
  • The company made a large profit last year.
• Prophet: A person who speaks for a deity or predicts the future.
  • The prophet warned of future challenges.

---

Quean – Queen

• Quean: An impudent or disreputable woman (archaic usage).
  • In old literature, quean often referred to a troublesome woman.
• Queen: A female ruler or the wife of a king.
  • The queen addressed her subjects.

---

Quarts – Quartz

• Quarts: A unit of liquid measurement.
  • He drank two quarts of water after the workout.
• Quartz: A type of mineral.
  • The quartz crystal sparkled in the sunlight.

---

Quire – Choir

• Quire: 24 or 25 sheets of paper.
  • He bought a quire of paper for the office.
• Choir: A group of singers.
  • The choir performed beautifully at the concert.

---

Rain – Reign

• Rain: Water falling from the sky.
  • The rain started in the afternoon.
• Reign: To rule as a king or queen.
  • The king’s reign lasted for 50 years.

---

Raise – Raze

• Raise: To lift or increase.
  • She asked her boss for a raise.
• Raze: To completely destroy.
  • The old building was razed to make room for new construction.

---

Rap – Wrap

• Rap: To knock or tap.
  • He heard a rap at the door.
• Wrap: To cover or encircle something.
  • She wrapped the gift in bright paper.

---

Raw – Roar

• Raw: Uncooked or in a natural state.
  • She eats raw vegetables for lunch.
• Roar: A loud, deep sound.
  • The lion let out a fierce roar.

---

Read – Reed

• Read: To look at and comprehend written words.
  • She loves to read novels.
• Reed: A tall, slender plant found in wetlands.
  • The pond was surrounded by reeds.

---

Real – Reel

• Real: Genuine or true.
  • He finally saw a real diamond.
• Reel: A spool for winding or a feeling of dizziness.
  • He felt his head reel after standing up too quickly.

---

Red – Read

• Red: The color.
  • She wore a bright red dress.
• Read: Past tense of “read” (to have looked at written material).
  • He read the book last night.

---

Retch – Wretch

• Retch: To make an effort to vomit.
  • The smell made him retch.
• Wretch: A miserable or despicable person.
  • The poor wretch had been through a lot.

---

Right – Rite

• Right: Correct or a direction.
  • She took a right turn.
• Rite: A ceremonial act.
  • The rite of passage was important in their culture.

---

Ring – Wring

• Ring: A circular band or sound.
  • She wore a gold ring.
• Wring: To twist and squeeze.
  • He had to wring out the wet towel.

---

Road – Rode

• Road: A pathway or street.
  • They drove down a bumpy road.
• Rode: Past tense of “ride.”
  • She rode her bike to school.

---

Role – Roll

• Role: A part or function.
  • He played the role of the hero in the play.
• Roll: To turn over or a small piece of bread.
  • She had a roll with her soup.

---

Root – Route

• Root: The underground part of a plant.
  • The tree’s roots are very deep.
• Route: A path or course.
  • He took a different route to work.

Rose – Rows

• Rose: A type of flower or the past tense of “rise.”
  • She admired the beautiful rose in the garden.
• Rows: Lines of objects, people, or seats.
  • The chairs were arranged in neat rows.

---

Rung – Wrung

• Rung: A step of a ladder.
  • He climbed the ladder, stepping on each rung carefully.
• Wrung: Past tense of “wring” (to twist).
  • She wrung the water out of the wet cloth.

---

Rye – Wry

• Rye: A type of grain.
  • They baked bread using rye flour.
• Wry: A dry or mocking expression.
  • He gave her a wry smile.

---

Sail – Sale

• Sail: A piece of fabric that catches the wind to move a boat.
  • The sail billowed in the wind.
• Sale: A transaction where something is sold.
  • They bought a new couch on sale.

---

Scene – Seen

• Scene: A setting or place, often in a play or movie.
  • The scene was set in a busy marketplace.
• Seen: Past participle of “see.”
  • She had seen the movie before.

---

Sea – See

• Sea: A large body of saltwater.
  • They went swimming in the sea.
• See: To perceive with the eyes.
  • I can see the mountains from here.

---

Sealing – Ceiling

• Sealing: Closing or securing something.
  • She was sealing the envelope.
• Ceiling: The upper interior surface of a room.
  • The chandelier hung from the ceiling.

---

Seam – Seem

• Seam: A line where two pieces of fabric are sewn together.
  • She checked the seam for any loose threads.
• Seem: To appear or give the impression.
  • He seemed tired after the long trip.

---

Serf – Surf

• Serf: A medieval agricultural laborer.
  • In medieval times, the serf worked the land.
• Surf: Waves in the ocean or to ride waves on a board.
  • They went to the beach to surf.

---

Shoo – Shoe

• Shoo: To urge someone or something to go away.
  • She shooed the cat away from the table.
• Shoe: Footwear.
  • He bought a new pair of shoes.

---

Side – Sighed

• Side: A part or aspect of something.
  • He stood by her side.
• Sighed: Past tense of “sigh” (to exhale audibly).
  • She sighed in relief.

---

Sight – Site

• Sight: The ability to see or something that is seen.
  • The Grand Canyon is an amazing sight.
• Site: A location or place.
  • They visited the historic site.

---

Sink – Sync

• Sink: To descend or go down.
  • The ship began to sink.
• Sync: To synchronize or match.
  • She had to sync her phone with her computer.

---

Slay – Sleigh

• Slay: To kill or defeat.
  • The hero was ready to slay the dragon.
• Sleigh: A vehicle for riding over snow.
  • They rode in a horse-drawn sleigh.

---

Slew – Slough

• Slew: Past tense of “slay” or a large amount of something.
  • The actor has a slew of awards.
• Slough: To shed or discard, or a swampy area.
  • Snakes slough their skin periodically.

---

So – Sow

• So: To such a great extent or therefore.
  • She was so tired after the hike.
• Sow: To plant seeds.
  • The farmer decided to sow corn this season.

---

Sole – Soul

• Sole: Only or the bottom part of a shoe or foot.
  • He was the sole survivor of the accident.
• Soul: The spiritual or emotional part of a person.
  • They believed in the immortality of the soul.

---

Some – Sum

• Some: An unspecified amount or number.
  • She wanted some water.
• Sum: The total amount resulting from adding.
  • The sum of two and two is four.

---

Son – Sun

• Son: A male child.
  • She is proud of her son.
• Sun: The star at the center of our solar system.
  • The sun rose over the horizon.

---

Stair – Stare

• Stair: A step in a staircase.
  • She walked up each stair slowly.
• Stare: To look fixedly.
  • He couldn’t help but stare at the beautiful view.

---

Stake – Steak

• Stake: A wooden or metal post or a personal interest in something.
  • They drove a stake into the ground.
• Steak: A slice of meat.
  • They grilled a delicious steak for dinner.

---

Stationary – Stationery

• Stationary: Not moving.
  • The car remained stationary.
• Stationery: Writing materials.
  • She bought new stationery for her letters.

---

Steal – Steel

• Steal: To take something without permission.
  • He tried to steal a cookie from the jar.
• Steel: A strong metal alloy.
  • The bridge was made of steel.

---

Step – Steppe

• Step: A movement made by lifting the foot.
  • She took a step forward.
• Steppe: A large, flat grassland.
  • The Russian steppe stretches for miles.

Storey – Story

• Storey: A level or floor in a building.
  • The apartment was on the fifth storey.
• Story: A narrative or tale.
  • She told a fascinating story about her travels.

---

Suit – Suite

• Suit: A set of clothes or legal proceedings.
  • He wore a sharp suit to the interview.
• Suite: A set of connected rooms or matching furniture.
  • They booked a suite for their honeymoon.

---

Sweet – Suite

• Sweet: Having a sugary taste.
  • The dessert was very sweet.
• Suite: A set of connected rooms or matching furniture.
  • The hotel suite had a beautiful view.

---

Tacks – Tax

• Tacks: Small nails with flat heads.
  • She used tacks to pin up the posters.
• Tax: A fee charged by the government on income or sales.
  • They paid their income tax.

---

Tail – Tale

• Tail: The rear part of an animal.
  • The dog wagged its tail happily.
• Tale: A story or account.
  • He told a tale of adventure.

---

Tare – Tear

• Tare: The weight of an empty container.
  • The tare of the package was subtracted from the total weight.
• Tear: To rip or a drop from the eye.
  • She had a tear in her dress.

---

Team – Teem

• Team: A group of people working together.
  • Our team won the championship.
• Teem: To be full of or swarming with.
  • The river teems with fish.

---

Tear – Tier

• Tear: To rip or a drop from the eye.
  • She shed a tear of joy.
• Tier: A row or level of a structure.
  • The wedding cake had three tiers.

---

Their – There

• Their: Belonging to them.
  • Their house is on the corner.
• There: In that place.
  • She left her keys over there.

---

Threw – Through

• Threw: Past tense of “throw.”
  • He threw the ball to his friend.
• Through: Moving in one side and out the other.
  • She walked through the door.

---

Throes – Throws

• Throes: Intense or violent pain and struggle.
  • She was in the throes of labor.
• Throws: The act of propelling something with force.
  • He makes strong throws in the game.

---

Thyme – Time

• Thyme: A type of herb.
  • She added some thyme to the recipe.
• Time: A measurement of hours, minutes, etc.
  • What time is the meeting?

---

Tide – Tied

• Tide: The rise and fall of sea levels.
  • The tide was high at noon.
• Tied: Past tense of “tie”; secured with a knot.
  • She tied the shoelaces tightly.

---

To – Two

• To: Preposition indicating direction or purpose.
  • She went to the store.
• Two: The number 2.
  • She has two pets.

---

Toe – Tow

• Toe: A digit on the foot.
  • He stubbed his toe on the table.
• Tow: To pull something behind a vehicle.
  • The truck had to tow the car.

---

Told – Tolled

• Told: Past tense of “tell.”
  • She told him a secret.
• Tolled: Past tense of “toll”; the sound of a bell.
  • The bell tolled at midnight.

---

Toller – Taller

• Toller: A person who tolls bells (rare usage).
  • The toller rang the church bells.
• Taller: Comparative of “tall.”
  • She is taller than her brother.

---

Vale – Veil

• Vale: A valley.
  • They hiked through the peaceful vale.
• Veil: A piece of fabric worn to cover the face.
  • The bride wore a beautiful veil.

---

Vain – Vein

• Vain: Excessively proud or futile.
  • She was too vain to admit her mistake.
• Vein: A blood vessel.
  • The nurse found a vein for the injection.

---

Vary – Very

• Vary: To differ or change.
  • Prices may vary by location.
• Very: To a high degree.
  • She was very happy with the results.

---

Wail – Whale

• Wail: A long, loud cry.
  • The baby began to wail loudly.
• Whale: A large marine mammal.
  • They saw a whale during their boat trip.

---

Waist – Waste

• Waist: The part of the body between the ribs and hips.
  • She wore a belt around her waist.
• Waste: Material that is not wanted or a misuse of resources.
  • It’s important to reduce waste.

---

Wait – Weight

• Wait: To remain in place until something happens.
  • They had to wait for the bus.
• Weight: A measurement of how heavy something is.
  • The weight of the package was 5 kg.

---

War – Wore

• War: A state of armed conflict.
  • The country was torn apart by war.
• Wore: Past tense of “wear.”
  • She wore her favorite dress.

---

Warn – Worn

• Warn: To give notice of danger or consequences.
  • She tried to warn him about the storm.
• Worn: Past participle of “wear”; used or deteriorated.
  • His shoes were worn from constant use.

Way – Weigh

• Way: A method or path.
  • She showed us the way to the beach.
• Weigh: To measure the weight of something.
  • Please weigh the apples before buying.

---

Weak – Week

• Weak: Lacking strength.
  • He felt weak after being ill.
• Week: A period of seven days.
  • She plans to visit next week.

---

Wear – Where

• Wear: To have on one’s body as clothing.
  • She decided to wear her new dress.
• Where: In or at what place.
  • Where did you put the keys?

---

Weather – Whether

• Weather: The state of the atmosphere.
  • The weather is nice today.
• Whether: Expressing a choice between options.
  • She couldn’t decide whether to stay or leave.

---

We’d – Weed

• We’d: Contraction for “we would” or “we had.”
  • We’d love to join you for dinner.
• Weed: A wild plant that is not wanted.
  • They spent the afternoon pulling weeds from the garden.

---

Were – Weir

• Were: Past tense of “are.”
  • They were happy with the results.
• Weir: A low dam built across a river.
  • The weir helps control water flow.

---

Wet – Whet

• Wet: Covered with or full of water.
  • His clothes were wet after the rain.
• Whet: To sharpen or stimulate.
  • The smell of food whetted his appetite.

---

Whine – Wine

• Whine: To complain in a high-pitched tone.
  • The dog began to whine for attention.
• Wine: An alcoholic drink made from fermented grapes.
  • They enjoyed a glass of wine with dinner.

---

Who’s – Whose

• Who’s: Contraction of “who is” or “who has.”
  • Who’s coming to the party?
• Whose: Possessive form of “who.”
  • Whose bag is this?

---

Woe – Whoa

• Woe: Great sorrow or distress.
  • She shared her tales of woe with her friend.
• Whoa: An expression to slow down or stop.
  • Whoa! Slow down!

---

Won – One

• Won: Past tense of “win.”
  • Her team won the championship.
• One: The number 1.
  • She has one pet cat.

---

Wood – Would

• Wood: Material from trees.
  • The table is made of wood.
• Would: Used to indicate willingness or a conditional action.
  • She would help if she had time.

---

Yolk – Yoke

• Yolk: The yellow part of an egg.
  • The recipe calls for two egg yolks.
• Yoke: A wooden crosspiece fastened over animals’ necks.
  • The oxen were connected by a yoke.

---

You – Yew

• You: Referring to the person spoken or written to.
  • Are you coming with us?
• Yew: A type of evergreen tree.
  • The garden has a large yew tree.

---

Yore – Your

• Yore: A time long ago.
  • Stories of yore are filled with adventure.
• Your: Belonging to the person spoken to.
  • Is this your book?

---

Buy – Bye

• Buy: To purchase something.
  • She went to buy groceries.
• Bye: A farewell remark.
  • She waved goodbye as she left.

---

Caught – Court

• Caught: Past tense of “catch.”
  • He caught the ball with one hand.
• Court: A place where legal cases are heard.
  • She appeared in court for the hearing.

---

Flower – Flour

• Flower: The bloom of a plant.
  • The garden is full of colorful flowers.
• Flour: Powder made from grinding grains.
  • She used flour to bake the bread.

---

Here – Hear

• Here: In this place.
  • Please come here for a moment.
• Hear: To perceive sound.
  • Can you hear the music?

---

Pair – Pare

• Pair: A set of two.
  • She bought a new pair of shoes.
• Pare: To trim or reduce.
  • He needs to pare down his expenses.

---

Their – There

• Their: Belonging to them.
  • Their house is on the corner.
• There: In that place.
  • She left her book over there.

By understanding the differences between homophones, you can improve your writing and avoid common mistakes. Always double-check your work to ensure you’ve used the correct word.

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