HomophonesDefinitionsExample Sentences
Ate / EightAte: past tense of eat; Eight: the number 8She ate lunch at noon. / He turned eight last week.
Bare / BearBare: uncovered; Bear: large mammal or to carryHe walked on the bare floor. / I can’t bear the pain.
Brake / BreakBrake: device to stop a vehicle; Break: to separate into piecesPress the brake to stop. / Don’t break the glass.
Buy / By / ByeBuy: to purchase; By: near or through; Bye: farewellI want to buy a new book. / She sat by the window. / Bye, see you tomorrow!
Cell / SellCell: small room or unit; Sell: to exchange for moneyThe prisoner was in a cell. / They sell fruits at the market.
Cent / Scent / SentCent: coin; Scent: smell; Sent: past tense of sendIt costs fifty cents. / The scent of roses filled the air. / I sent the letter yesterday.
Dear / DeerDear: beloved; Deer: animalMy dear friend is visiting. / A deer crossed the road.
Flour / FlowerFlour: used in baking; Flower: blooming plantAdd flour to the mixture. / The flower bloomed beautifully.
Hair / HareHair: strands on the head; Hare: fast-running animalShe combed her hair. / The hare ran swiftly.
Heal / HeelHeal: to make healthy; Heel: back part of the footTime will heal the wound. / He injured his heel.
Hear / HereHear: to perceive sound; Here: in this placeI can hear music. / Come here quickly.
Hour / OurHour: 60 minutes; Our: belonging to usIt took an hour to finish. / This is our house.
Know / NoKnow: to be aware; No: negative responseI know the answer. / No, I don’t agree.
Knight / NightKnight: medieval warrior; Night: time after sunsetThe knight wore armor. / Stars shine at night.
Mail / MaleMail: postal items; Male: opposite of femaleI received mail today. / The male lion roared.
Meat / MeetMeat: animal flesh; Meet: to come togetherWe had meat for dinner. / Let’s meet at noon.
Pair / PearPair: two of something; Pear: fruitI bought a pair of shoes. / She ate a pear.
Peace / PiecePeace: tranquility; Piece: a portionThey signed a peace treaty. / I want a piece of cake.
Plain / PlanePlain: simple or flat land; Plane: aircraftShe wore a plain dress. / The plane took off.
Principal / PrinciplePrincipal: head of a school; Principle: fundamental truthThe principal addressed the students. / Honesty is a good principle.
Right / WriteRight: correct or direction; Write: to inscribeTurn right at the corner. / Please write your name.
Sight / SiteSight: ability to see; Site: locationHer sight is excellent. / This is the site for the new building.
Son / SunSon: male child; Sun: star at the center of our solar systemMy son is five years old. / The sun is shining.
Steal / SteelSteal: to take unlawfully; Steel: strong metalDon’t steal from others. / The bridge is made of steel.
Their / There / They’reTheir: possessive; There: place; They’re: they areTheir house is big. / The book is over there. / They’re coming soon.
To / Too / TwoTo: preposition; Too: also; Two: number 2I’m going to the store. / I want some too. / She has two cats.
Wait / WeightWait: to stay; Weight: heavinessPlease wait here. / What’s your weight?
Weather / WhetherWeather: atmospheric conditions; Whether: expressing doubtThe weather is sunny. / I don’t know whether to go.
Which / WitchWhich: choice; Witch: sorceressWhich color do you prefer? / The witch cast a spell.
Weak / WeekWeak: not strong; Week: seven daysHe felt weak after illness. / See you next week.
Whole / HoleWhole: entire; Hole: openingI ate the whole cake. / There’s a hole in the sock.
Wood / WouldWood: material from trees; Would: past tense of willThe table is made of wood. / I would like some tea.
Your / You’reYour: possessive; You’re: you areIs this your book? / You’re very kind.
Aloud / AllowedAloud: spoken; Allowed: permittedRead the story aloud. / Pets are not allowed here.
Bored / BoardBored: uninterested; Board: flat surface or groupI’m feeling bored. / He wrote on the board.
Capital / CapitolCapital: city or money; Capitol: government buildingParis is the capital of France. / The Capitol is in Washington, D.C.
Complement / ComplimentComplement: something that completes; Compliment: praiseThe scarf complements her dress. / He gave her a compliment.
Die / DyeDie: to cease living; Dye: to colorFlowers die without water. / She will dye her hair red.
Fair / FareFair: just or carnival; Fare: feeThat’s not fair! / The bus fare is $2.
Grate / GreatGrate: to shred; Great: excellentGrate the cheese. / That’s a great idea!
Hole / WholeHole: opening; Whole: entireThere’s a hole in the wall. / I ate the whole pizza.
Idle / IdolIdle: inactive; Idol: someone admiredThe machine is idle. / The singer is my idol.
Lead / LedLead: to guide or a metal; Led: past tense of leadShe will lead the team. / He led them to victory.
Mail / MaleMail: postal items; Male: opposite of femaleI received mail today. / The male lion roared.
Pail / PalePail: bucket; Pale: light in colorFill the pail with water. / She looked pale.
Rain / Reign / ReinRain: precipitation; Reign: rule; Rein: strapThe rain is heavy. / The king’s reign lasted years. / Hold the rein tightly.
Scene / SeenScene: part of a play; Seen: past participle of seeThe scene was dramatic. / I’ve seen that movie.
Sole / SoulSole: only or bottom of foot; Soul: spiritShe’s the sole survivor. / Music soothes the soul.
Stare / StairStare: to look fixedly; Stair: stepDon’t stare at people. / Climb the stair carefully.
Tail / TaleTail: rear part; Tale: storyThe dog wagged its tail. / He told a funny tale.
Vain / Vein / VaneVain: conceited; Vein: blood vessel; Vane: weather instrumentShe’s vain about her looks. / The vein carries blood. / The vane shows wind direction.
Waist / WasteWaist: body part; Waste: to squanderThe belt fits her waist. / Don’t waste food.
Yolk / YokeYolk: egg part; Yoke: harnessThe egg’s yolk is yellow. / The oxen wore a yoke.

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