What does homophonous mean?
Homophonous is an adjective meaning that one word sounds exactly like another, even if the words are spelled differently and have different meanings. It is especially used in discussions of language, literature, poetry, and word games, where the relationship between sound and spelling is important. For example, 'night' and 'knight' are homophonous because they have the same pronunciation. The term can also refer to two or more words that sound alike but belong to different languages, as in many examples of loanwords. It is more formal and less common than the noun 'homophone,' but it is useful when a writer wants to describe the relationship directly. The word reflects the idea of sameness combined with Greek roots meaning 'sound.'
adjectiveHaving the same sound or sounds as another word. A homophonous pair consists of words that are pronounced alike but may differ in meaning or spelling.
- Having the same pronunciation as another word or words, especially when the words differ in meaning or spelling.
"The two words in the pair are homophonous, even though one is spelled with a 'c' and the other with a 'k'."
"The novel's title is homophonous with the name of a well-known public figure."
"The dictionary lists several homophonous pairs, including 'night' and 'knight.'"
Homophonous words prove that spelling can be misleading: two words can look completely different and still sound exactly the same.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does homophonous come from?
Homophonous was formed in the 19th century from the related noun 'homophone' and the suffix '-ous.' 'Homophone' comes from Greek homos, meaning 'same,' and phōnē, meaning 'sound.' The same Greek sound root also appears in words such as 'telephone' and 'phonology,' linking the concept to a broader family of terms concerned with pronunciation and sound.
Related word forms
How homophonous is actually used
Homophonous is formal and relatively uncommon. In everyday language, 'homophones' and 'homophonic' are often used instead when referring to words that sound alike.
Easily confused with homophonous
Homophonous describes words that sound alike, while homophonic more often describes music in which different notes are played simultaneously to produce a chord.
A heteronym is a word with more than one pronunciation, whereas a homophonous word shares its pronunciation with a different word.