Homophones

What are Homophones?

Homophones are words that sound the same when spoken but have different meanings and often different spellings. They are a common feature of many languages, including English, and can be a source of confusion in both spoken and written communication.

Examples of homophones in English include:

• “Flour” and “Flower”: “Flour” is the powder used in baking, while “flower” refers to the colorful part of a plant.
• “Knight” and “Night”: “Knight” is a title given to a medieval warrior, while “night” refers to the time of day after sunset.
• “Sea” and “See”: “Sea” is a large body of saltwater, while “see” is the verb meaning to perceive with the eyes.
• “Two,” “Too,” and “To”: “Two” is the number after one, “too” is used to mean also or excessively, and “to” is a preposition or part of an infinitive verb.

Homophones can be particularly challenging for language learners and are often the focus of spelling and vocabulary lessons in English language education. They also frequently appear in wordplay, puns, and jokes.

Try our free test below and see if you use the words correctly.