Homophones
Words pronounced alike, that have a different spelling and meaning
Adapted from Meridian Schools and Write Source
ant, aunt
An ant is an insect. An aunt is a female relative, the sister of a mother or father.
Regional dialect can change the pronunciation of aunt.
bare, bear
The adjective bare means “naked.” A bear is a large animal with shaggy hair.
base, bass
Base is a foundation or the lower part of something.
Bass (pronounced “base”) is a deep sound or tone or an instrument having a deep sound or tone.
Bass (rhymes with “mass”) is a fish.
board, bored A board is a piece of wood. Board also refers to a group or council that helps run
an organization. Bored means “to become weary or tired of something.” It can also mean “a
hole made by drilling.”
brake, break A brake is a device used to stop a vehicle. The verb break means “to crack, split
or destroy”. The noun break refers to a gap or interruption.
by, buy, bye By is a preposition meaning near or not later than.
Buy is a verb meaning to purchase. Bye is the position of being automatically advanced to the
next round of a competition without playing. Bye is also a clipped version of “good-bye.”
cent, sent, scent
Cent refers to money (1/100th 0f a dollar), sent is past tense of the verb
“send”, and scent is a smell.
complement, Complement means “to complete or go with.”
Compliment Compliment is an expression of admiration or praise.
die, dye
something.
Die is a verb meaning “to stop living”, while dye is used to change the color of
for, four
For is a preposition meaning “because of” or “directed to.” Four is the number 4.
hear, here
Hear is a verb meaning to recognize sound. Here is the opposite of there and
means “nearby.”
hole, whole
Hole is a hollow place. Whole means “entire or complete.”
it’s, its
It’s is the contraction of “it is.” Its is the possessive form of “it.”
knew, new
Knew is past tense of the verb know. New means “recent” or “modern.”
know, no
Know means “to recognize and understand” while no means “the opposite of yes.”
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lead, led
Lead /lēd/ is a present tense verb meaning “to guide.” Led /lĕd/ is past tense of
the verb lead. The noun lead /lĕd/ is the metal.
loose, lose
win.”
Loose /lüs/ means “free or untied”. Lose /lōōs/ means to “misplace” or “fail to
pair, pare, pear
A pair is a couple, pare is a verb meaning “to peel”, and pear is the fruit.
past, passed Passed is always a verb, the past tense of pass. Past can be used as a noun, an
adjective, or as a preposition.
A motorcycle passed our car. (verb)
I cannot forget the past. (noun)
In my past life I was a dog. (adjective)
He drove right past the house. (preposition)
peace, piece Peace means “harmony” or “free from war.” Piece is a section or part of
something.
peak, peek, pique
Peak is the highpoint of a mountain. Peek means “a quick look.” The
verb pique means to “create interest” as in “The movie poster piqued my curiosity.” The noun
pique means “a feeling of resentment” as in “In a pique, she marched away from her teasing
sisters.”
principal, principle Principal is an adjective meaning “primary” or a noun referring to a
school administrator or sum of money. Principle is an idea or doctrine.
red, read
Red is a color; read pronounced the same way, is the past tense of the verb
meaning ”to understand the meaning of written words and symbols.
right, rite, write
Right is the direction opposite of left, and is used to refer to a legal claim.
Right also means “correct or proper.” It is also the opposite of wrong. Write is a verb meaning
“to record in print.” Rite is a ritual or ceremonial act.
sew, so, sow Sew is the verb meaning “to stitch.” So is a conjunction meaning “in order that.”
Sow is the verb meaning “to plant.
their, there, they’re
Their is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership.
There is an adverb that tells where. They’re is the contraction for they are.
to, too, two To is the preposition that can mean “in the direction of.” Too means also or is an
adverb meaning “very or excessive.” Two is the number 2.
vary, very
Vary means “to change.” Very can be used as an adjective meaning “in the fullest
sense” or “complete.” Very can also be used as an adverb meaning “extremely.”
ware, wear, where Ware means “a product to be sold. Wear means “to have on or carry on
one’s body.” Where asks the question “in what place or in what situation?”
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