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Homophone Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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homophone

[ˈhɒməfoʊn ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

linguistics, sound

A homophone is a word that sounds the same as another word but has a different meaning, and often different spelling. They can create confusion in spoken language and are frequently used in puns and jokes.

Synonyms

same-sounding word, sound-alike.

Examples of usage

  • The words 'two', 'to', and 'too' are homophones.
  • She couldn’t tell the difference between the homophones 'bare' and 'bear'.
  • In poetry, homophones can be used cleverly to create rhyme.
  • The teacher explained the homophones that often confuse students.
  • He made a mistake using a homophone during his presentation.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Education

  • Homophones are commonly used in teaching phonetics and pronunciation, helping students understand sound relationships.
  • They play a significant role in language learning, challenging learners to differentiate similar sounds and meanings.

Literature

  • Writers often use homophones in puns and wordplay, creating humor or double meanings.
  • Famous poetry sometimes relies on homophonic structures, inviting readers to explore deeper interpretations.

Linguistics

  • In linguistics, homophones are studied to understand how sound influences language meaning and usage.
  • They can highlight language evolution, as words with distinct origins may later evolve to sound the same.

Communication

  • Misunderstandings from homophones are common in spoken language, leading to humorous or confusing situations.
  • In informal writing and branding, companies may use homophones to create catchy slogans or memorable names.

Origin of 'homophone'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from Greek 'homo-' meaning 'same' and 'phone' meaning 'voice' or 'sound'.
  • The concept of homophones has been around since ancient languages, where similar-sounding words often caused confusion.

The term 'homophone' is derived from the Greek words 'homo', meaning 'same', and 'phone', meaning 'voice' or 'sound'. The concept has roots in the study of linguistics and phonetics, where the focus is on the sounds of words and their meanings. These types of words have been recognized in language studies for centuries, as they play a significant role in spoken language and can often lead to humorous or ambiguous situations when used in conversation. The recognition of homophones has become increasingly important in education, particularly in teaching reading and writing, helping students to differentiate between words that sound the same but have different meanings or spellings. This is crucial in developing language skills and understanding nuances in communication.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,656, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.