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Home > Language > What is the Difference Between Homonym and Homophone?

Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Homonym and Homophone?

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The differences between homonyms and homophones are based on their spelling and meaning:

  • Homonyms are words that share the same spelling and pronunciation but have different meanings, usually as a result of the two words having different origins. Some examples include bark (tree covering) and bark (dog noise), bat (flying mammal) and bat (baseball), and can (steel cylinder) and can (is able). All homonyms are also homophones, as they sound the same.
  • Homophones are words that are pronounced the same but differ in meaning, derivation, or spelling. They can be spelled so an example of a homophone pair is bow (to bend at the waist) and bow (a tied knot). Examples of homophone trios that are spelled differently include to, two, and too.

In summary, homonyms are words that are both homophones and homographs (spelled the same), while homophones are words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings, derivations, or spellings.

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  • What is the Difference Between Homonym and Homophone?
  • Comparative Table: Homonym vs Homophone

    • Comparative Table: Homonym vs Homophone

    Here is a table comparing the differences between homonyms and homophones:

    Feature Homonyms Homophones
    Definition Words that share the same spelling and pronunciation but have different meanings. Words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings and may or may not be spelled the same.
    Spelling Homonyms can be spelled the same or differently. Homophones may or may not have the same spelling.
    Examples - Rose (flower) and rose (past tense of "rise"). - There/their/they're and its/it's.

    All homonyms are homophones because they sound the same. However, not all homophones are homonyms; homophones with different spellings are not homonyms.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.