Homophone Homonyms

100 most important words for Competitive exams

Homonyms are the words that are spelled and pronounced the same but have different meanings. 

Homophones are words that sound the same when spoken but have different meanings and often different spellings. 

1. Aid / Aide

• Aid: To help or assist
  She went to the aid of a child.
• Aide: An assistant (especially to a political leader)
  The president travels with many aides.

2. Aero / Arrow

• Aero: Related to air or flight
  The aerodynamics of the car’s design is great.
• Arrow: A pointed shaft shot from a bow
  The arrow hit the target.

3. Aisle / Isle

• Aisle: A walkway, especially in a plane or theater
  He chose an aisle seat.
• Isle: A small island
  We visited a remote isle last summer.

4. Allowed / Aloud

• Allowed: Permitted
  We are allowed to enter.
• Aloud: Spoken out loud
  She read the letter aloud.

5. Altar / Alter

• Altar: A sacred table in a religious place
  They prayed at the altar.
• Alter: To change
  We need to alter the schedule.

6. Arc / Ark

• Arc: A curved shape
  The ball flew in a high arc.
• Ark: A large boat (e.g., Noah’s Ark)
  Noah built an ark to save the animals.

7. Ascent / Assent

• Ascent: An upward movement
  The ascent to the hilltop was tiring.
• Assent: Agreement
  The principal gave her assent.

8. Ate / Eight

• Ate: Past tense of eat
  We ate at 8 PM.
• Eight: Number after seven
  She has eight cats.

9. Awed / Odd

• Awed: Filled with wonder
  We were awed by the fireworks.
• Odd: Strange or unusual
  That’s an odd way to dress.

10. Aye / Eye / I

• Aye: Yes (especially in naval terms)
  “Aye, aye, Sir!” the sailors replied.
• Eye: Organ of sight
  His eye was injured.
• I: Personal pronoun
  I am learning English.

11. Bail / Bale

• Bail: Legal release from custody / to rescue
  He didn’t get bail.
• Bale: A bundle of goods (like hay)
  A bale of hay was lying there.

12. Bait / Bate

• Bait: Food used to attract animals (especially fish)
  Worms are common bait.
• Bate: Flap wings wildly (used for birds)
  The hawk bated its wings.

13. Bald / Bawled

• Bald: Without hair
  He is going bald.
• Bawled: Cried loudly
  The child bawled in pain.

14. Band / Banned

• Band: Musical group / a loop
  The band performed last night.
• Banned: Prohibited
  Smoking is banned here.

15. Bard / Barred

• Bard: A poet (especially one reciting epics)
  Shakespeare is the Bard of Avon.
• Barred: Prohibited from entry or action
  He was barred from the club.

16. Bare / Bear

• Bare: Without cover
  The room was bare.
• Bear: Animal or to endure
  He couldn’t bear the pain. / We saw a bear in the zoo.

17. Bark / Bark

• Bark: Tree covering
  The bark was rough.
• Bark: Dog’s sound
  The dog’s bark was loud.

18. Baron / Barren

• Baron: A powerful businessman
  He is a media baron.
• Barren: Not fertile
  The land was barren.

19. Baul / Bawl / Ball

• Baul: Bengali folk singer
  Baul singers are popular in Bengal.
• Bawl: To cry loudly
  The child began to bawl.
• Ball: A round object
  He kicked the ball.

20. Beach / Beech

• Beach: Sandy shore
  We went to the beach.
• Beech: A type of tree
  The beech tree is tall.

21. Berry / Bury

• Berry: A small juicy fruit
  I love strawberry and blueberry.
• Bury: To put underground
  They buried the treasure.

22. Berth / Birth

• Berth: A seat or bed on a train
  Check your berth on the ticket.
• Birth: The start of life
  She gave birth to twins.

23. Better / Bettor

• Better: Improved
  He feels better now.
• Bettor: A person who bets
  He is a frequent bettor.

24. Bite / Byte

• Bite: To cut with teeth
  She took a bite of the apple.
• Byte: A unit of digital information
  A byte equals 8 bits.

25. Bloc / Block

• Bloc: A group or alliance
  The political bloc protested.
• Block: A solid mass or section
  Use a wooden block.

26. Boar / Boer

• Boar: Wild pig
  The boar charged at the hunter.
• Boer: A South African of Dutch origin
  The Boer War was historic.

27. Boor / Bore

• Boor: Rude or ill-mannered person
  He is such a boor.
• Bore: To drill or make a hole
  They bored a hole in the wall.

28. Board / Bored

• Board: To get on a vehicle
  We boarded the bus.
• Bored: Not interested
  She was bored during the lecture.

29. Bolder / Boulder

• Bolder: More courageous
  He was bolder than his brother.
• Boulder: A large rock
  A boulder blocked the road.

30. Bole / Bowl

• Bole: Tree trunk
  The bole was damaged by termites.
• Bowl: Round container
  She ate rice from the bowl.

31. Borough / Burrow

• Borough: A town or district
  The borough has many parks.
• Burrow: A hole made by animals
  Rabbits live in burrows.

32. Bough / Bow

• Bough: Main branch of a tree
  The bough was full of fruits.
• Bow: To bend as a sign of respect
  He bowed before the teacher.

33. Buoy / Boy

• Buoy: Floating marker in water
  The boat passed the buoy.
• Boy: Male child
  He has a boy and a girl.

34. Breach / Breech

• Breach: Violation or break
  There was a breach of contract.
• Breech: Rear part of a gun / short pants
  The gun’s breech was damaged.
  He wore breeches for riding.

35. Bread / Bred

• Bread: A common food made of flour and yeast
  He had toast and buttered bread.
• Bred: Past tense of “breed”; upbringing or raising
  He is well-bred and polite.

36. Broach / Brooch

• Broach: To introduce a subject for discussion
  She broached the topic gently.
• Brooch: A decorative pin worn on clothing
  She wore a beautiful diamond brooch.

37. Cache / Cash

• Cache: A hidden store (especially of data)
  Clear your browser’s cache regularly.
• Cash: Money in physical form
  She paid in cash.

38. Cannon / Canon

• Cannon: Large, heavy artillery weapon
  The old cannon is displayed in the museum.
• Canon: A general rule or principle; also, a body of work
  She followed the canon of classical literature.

39. Canvas / Canvass

• Canvas: A heavy, durable fabric used for painting or tents
  The artist painted on a canvas.
• Canvass: To seek support or votes
  The candidates canvassed the neighborhood.

40. Capital / Capitol

• Capital: Wealth; or a city that serves as the seat of government
  Delhi is the capital of India.
• Capitol: A government building (esp. in the US)
  They visited the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

41. Carat / Caret / Carrot

• Carat: Unit for measuring gold purity
  She bought an 18-carat gold ring.
• Caret: A proofreading symbol (^)
  Use a caret to insert missing words.
• Carrot: A root vegetable
  Rabbits love to eat carrots.

42. Cast / Caste

• Cast: To throw / actors in a play / to form in a mold
  The movie cast was impressive.
• Caste: A hereditary social class in India
  The caste system is centuries old.

43. Cede / Seed

• Cede: To give up power or territory
  The king ceded land after defeat.
• Seed: The part of a plant that grows into a new one
  Plant the seed properly.

44. Cell / Sell

• Cell: A small room, especially in prisons or biology
  The prisoner was locked in a cell.
• Sell: To exchange something for money
  He wants to sell his car.

45. Dew / Due

• Dew: Tiny drops of water on cool surfaces
  Morning dew covered the grass.
• Due: Owed or expected
  The assignment is due tomorrow.

46. Discreet / Discrete

• Discreet: Careful in behavior or speech
  He was discreet about the matter.
• Discrete: Separate or distinct
  Each chapter is a discrete unit.

47. Doe / Dough

• Doe: A female deer
  The doe leapt into the forest.
• Dough: Unbaked mixture for bread or pastries
  The dough needs to rise before baking.

48. Dual / Duel

• Dual: Having two parts
  This device has a dual function.
• Duel: A formal fight between two people
  They fought a duel over honor.

49. Ewe / Yew

• Ewe: Female sheep
  The ewe gave birth to two lambs.
• Yew: A type of tree with poisonous leaves
  The yew tree grows in Europe.

50. Eyelet / Islet

• Eyelet: Small hole in fabric for lace or string
  The shoes had metal eyelets.
• Islet: A very small island
  We sailed around the coral islet.

51. Faint / Feint

• Faint: To lose consciousness
  He felt faint from hunger.
• Feint: A deceptive move, especially in sports or fighting
  He used a feint to dodge the defender.

52. Fair / Fare

• Fair: Just or light-skinned; also a public event
  He gave a fair judgment.
• Fare: Cost of travel
  The bus fare has increased.

 

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