Homophone: Difference between revisions

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When homophones have the same spelling, they are also '''homonyms''': the [[modal verb]] 'will' as in 'will they came?' sounds and also looks exactly like the [[noun]] 'will' as in 'having a strong will' or 'last will and testament'.   
When homophones have the same spelling, they are also '''homonyms''': the [[modal verb]] 'will' as in 'will they came?' sounds and also looks exactly like the [[noun]] 'will' as in 'having a strong will' or 'last will and testament'.   


Words with the same spelling  are called '''homographs''', but they are not all homophones: some have different pronunciations, as with the verb 'to tear', meaning 'to rip', and 'tear', as in 'tearful'. Thus homonyms are homophonic homographs.
Words with the same spelling  are called '''homographs''', but they are not all homophones: some have different pronunciations, as with the verb 'to tear', meaning 'to rip', and 'tear', as in 'tearful'<ref>In the notation used at [[English spellings]], '''téar''' ''rip'' and '''têar''' ''cry''</ref>. Thus homonyms are homophonic homographs.

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A homophone is a word that sounds exactly like another. 'Meat', referring to animal food, sounds exactly like 'meet', meaning 'come together'.

When homophones have the same spelling, they are also homonyms: the modal verb 'will' as in 'will they came?' sounds and also looks exactly like the noun 'will' as in 'having a strong will' or 'last will and testament'.

Words with the same spelling are called homographs, but they are not all homophones: some have different pronunciations, as with the verb 'to tear', meaning 'to rip', and 'tear', as in 'tearful'[1]. Thus homonyms are homophonic homographs.

  1. In the notation used at English spellings, téar rip and têar cry