Homophones are words that have the same pronunciation but are spelt differently and have different meanings. The meaning of such words can be deduced from the context of the sentence or by examining their spellings.
For instance, Principle and Principal, are spelt the same but have different pronunciations.
"Principle" refers to "a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief" while "principal" refers to "first in order of importance."
Sentence: The Principal of the school, guided by the educational principle of fostering critical thinking, implemented a series of reforms aimed at enhancing the student's learning experience.
1. Aural - Oral
Aural (related to hearing): About the sense of hearing or the ear.
Oral (related to spoken language): Relating to the spoken word or verbal communication.
Sentences:
→ The aural experience of listening to classical music in the concert hall was truly enchanting.
→ Effective oral communication skills are crucial in building strong relationships and successful collaborations.
2. Ascent - Assent
Ascent: The act of rising or climbing upward, often used in the context of elevation or progression.
Assent: To express agreement or approval, usually in response to a proposal, idea, or request.
Sentences:
→ After months of rigorous training, the mountaineer began the perilous ascent of the towering peak.
→ The committee members, after careful deliberation, were quick to assent to the proposed plan, recognizing its potential to bring about positive changes and improvements to the organization.
3. Bald - Bawled
Bald: aacking hair on the head.
Bawled: cried or shouted loudly.
Sentences:
→ Despite his young age, the hereditary condition caused him to go bald prematurely.
→ She bawled uncontrollably upon hearing the news of her best friend's unexpected victory.
4. Baron - Barren
Baron: a nobleman of varying rank or a person of high social status, often having land or property.
Barren: desolate, unproductive, or unable to support life; lacking vegetation or fertility.
Sentences:
→ The baron, adorned in rich attire, presided over the grand banquet in his opulent castle.
→ The barren landscape stretched for miles, with no sign of life, as the relentless drought continued to plague the region.
5. Band - Banned
Band (noun): a group of musicians who perform together, typically playing various instruments.
Band (verb): to unite or join together for a common purpose or cause.
Sentences:
→ The school band, composed of talented students, mesmerized the audience with their captivating performance at the annual concert.
→ The citizens decided to band together to address the environmental concerns plaguing their community, demonstrating the power of collective action.
6. Allowed - Aloud
Allowed (verb): permitted or given permission to do something.
Aloud (adverb): in a voice that can be heard; not silently or quietly.
Sentences:
→ The coach allowed the athlete to participate in the competition, acknowledging the exceptional circumstances.
→ The professor spoke aloud, elaborating on the intricate details of the scientific theory, capturing the attention of the attentive students.
7. Bolder - Boulder
Bolder: more daring, courageous, or showing a willingness to take risks.
Boulder: a large rock, typically one that has been worn smooth by erosion.
Sentences:
→ Despite the challenges, the bolder team members volunteered to explore the uncharted territory.
→ The hikers marvelled at the massive boulder that stood as a testament to the power of nature.
8. Carat - Carrot
Carat: a carat is a unit of weight used for measuring gemstones and pearls.
Carrot: a carrot is a vegetable.
Sentences:
→ The jeweller meticulously examined the diamond, ensuring it was precisely one carat, as even a fraction of a carat could significantly affect its value.
→ The health-conscious chef concocted a delectable soup, incorporating a medley of fresh vegetables, with the vibrant orange carrot lending colour and nutritional value to the dish.
9. Cent - Scent
Cent: a unit of currency, equal to 1/100th of a dollar, euro, or other major currencies.
Scent: a distinctive smell, especially one that is pleasant.
Sentences:
→ I found a shiny penny on the sidewalk, which is equivalent to one cent in the United States.
→ The fragrance of blooming flowers filled the air, creating a delightful scent in the garden.
10. Censor - Sensor
Censor (noun): an official who examines books, films, news, or other media and suppresses or removes any parts deemed offensive, immoral, or politically unacceptable.
Sensor (noun): a device or organ that detects or measures a physical property and records, indicates or otherwise responds to it.
Sentences:
→ The diligent censor meticulously reviewed the manuscript, excising any potentially objectionable content before the book could be published.
→ The highly sensitive sensor array, embedded in the cutting-edge surveillance system, promptly alerted security personnel to the slightest movement within the restricted area.
11. Duel - Dual
Duel: a duel refers to a formal combat between two individuals, often with deadly weapons, to settle a dispute or prove one's honour.
Dual: dual means having two parts, components or aspects.
Sentences:
→ In the medieval era, knights would engage in a duel, showcasing their skill and valour in one-on-one combat to resolve matters of honour.
→ The smartphone is equipped with a dual-camera system, allowing users to capture stunning photographs with both wide-angle and telephoto lenses.
12. Die - Dye
Die: to cease living; undergo death
Dye: a substance used to colour materials
Sentences:
→ Despite his illness, the elderly man continued to live life to the fullest, refusing to let fear of death make him die emotionally before his time.
→ The textile industry relies on various natural and synthetic dyes to achieve a vibrant and diverse range of colours in fabrics.
13. Flair - Flare
Flair: distinctive and stylish elegance; a natural talent or aptitude.
Flare: a sudden burst of bright light or flame; to blaze with a sudden intensity.
Sentences:
→ Emily displayed a remarkable flair for fashion, effortlessly combining colours and patterns to create stunning outfits.
→ As the Sun dipped below the horizon, the sky erupted in a vibrant flare of oranges and pinks, casting a warm glow over the landscape.
14. Gait - Gate
Gait: a person's manner of walking or the pattern of steps when moving.
Gate: a movable barrier that opens and closes to allow or block passage.
Sentences:
→ Maria's confident gait reflected her years of ballet training, with each step showcasing grace and precision.
→ The ancient castle's massive gate creaked open slowly, revealing the grandeur within its walls.
15. Hew - Hue
Hew: to chop or cut with an axe, pick, or other tool, typically in a rough or forceful manner.
Hue: a colour or a shade of colour.
Sentences:
→ The skilled carpenter knew how to hew the raw timber into precise and symmetrical pieces for the construction project.
→ The artist carefully selected a vibrant hue of blue for the ocean in her seascape painting to evoke a sense of tranquillity and depth.
16. Idle - Idol
Idle: having no purpose or significance; inactive or unemployed.
Idol: a person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered.
Sentences:
→ After completing the project ahead of schedule, Tom found himself idle at his desk, unsure of what task to tackle next.
→ The legendary musician became an idol for aspiring artists around the world due to his groundbreaking contributions to the industry.
17. Find - Fined
Find (verb): to discover or locate something that was lost, hidden, or unknown.
Fined (verb): to impose a monetary penalty as punishment for a violation or offence.
Sentences:
→ After hours of searching, she managed to find her lost keys hidden beneath the sofa cushions.
→ The reckless driver was fined heavily for exceeding the speed limit in a residential area, emphasising the importance of road safety.
18. Eaves - Eves
Eaves: the eaves are the edges of a roof that overhang a building.
Eves: the word "eves" is the plural form of "eve," which refers to the evening or the day before a particular event.
Sentences:
→ The birds built their nests in the eaves of the house, sheltered from the rain.
→ On the eves of important exams, students often review their notes and prepare for the upcoming challenges.
19. Frank - Franc
Frank (adjective): open, honest, and direct in speech or expression.
Frank (noun): a member of a Germanic people who invaded the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century.
Sentences:
→ Shelly decided to be frank and forthright in expressing her opinions during the debate.
→ The Franks, led by King Clovis, played a significant role in shaping the early medieval history of Europe through their conquests and establishment of the Frankish Kingdom.
20. Dam - Damn
Dam (noun): a barrier constructed across a watercourse to impound or divert water.
Dam (verb): to obstruct the flow of water by building a dam.
Sentences:
→ The engineers designed an intricate dam to control the river's flow and generate hydroelectric power for the surrounding region.
→ The decision to dam the river was met with controversy as environmentalists raised concerns about its impact on local ecosystems.
21. Away - Aweigh
Away: an adverb that indicates a direction or movement from a particular place or position.
Aweigh: a nautical term used in the context of raising an anchor so that it is no longer in contact with the sea bottom.
Sentences:
→ Despite the stormy weather, the adventurous hikers decided to venture away from the safety of the campsite to explore the mysterious forest.
→ As the sailors deftly hoisted the anchor aweigh, the ship began to gracefully glide across the waves, embarking on a journey to uncharted waters.
22. Awl - All
Awl: it is a small pointed tool used for making holes in materials such as wood or leather.
All: refers to the whole quantity or extent of something, including every part or individual.
Sentences:
→ The skilled craftsman carefully used an awl to create precise holes in the leather for the intricate stitching of the custom-made wallet
→ Despite facing numerous challenges, the team remained determined and gave their all, showcasing exceptional teamwork and resilience during the intense competition.
23. Axe - Acts
Axe (noun): it is a cutting tool with a sharp blade attached to a handle, used for chopping or splitting wood.
Acts (noun/verb): refer to individual performances or sections of a play, opera, or other artistic productions.
Sentences:
→ As the lumberjack swung the gleaming axe through the air, the crisp sound of wood splitting echoed through the forest.
→ The Shakespearean play was divided into five acts, each unravelling a different layer of the intricate plot.
24. Axel - Axle
Axle: the axle is a central shaft that supports the wheels of a vehicle and allows them to rotate.
Axel: in figure skating, an axel is a jump that takes off from the forward outside edge of one skate and makes one and a half revolutions in the air.
Sentences:
→ The ancient chariot, with its intricately carved wooden wheels, relied on a sturdy axle to withstand the rigours of battle and smoothly traverse the uneven terrain.
→ The graceful figure skater executed a flawless axel, spinning effortlessly in mid-air before landing with unparalleled precision, earning thunderous applause from the captivated audience.
25. Axes - Axis
Axes (plural of axis): refers to more than one axis, which is an imaginary line about which a body rotates or a system revolves.
Axis: Axis is a singular term that describes an imaginary straight line around which an object rotates or a symmetrical shape is formed.
Sentences:
→ The engineers carefully calibrated the spacecraft's multiple axes of rotation to ensure precise alignment during interplanetary manoeuvres.
→ The ballet dancer maintained perfect balance as she executed a series of intricate spins, her body pivoting gracefully around its central axis.
Homonyms are words with similar sounds or spellings but distinct meanings. These words' meanings are usually inferred from the context in which they occur.
For instance, The word ‘right’ refers to ‘moral’ or to ‘direction’.
→ I hope we are doing the right thing.
→ Take the first right for the library.
1. Ring
→ As the blacksmith worked tirelessly in his shop, the rhythmic sound of the hammer hitting the hot metal created a resonant ring throughout the village.
→ The cell phone's ring echoed in the quiet classroom, interrupting the lecture and drawing the disapproving gaze of the teacher.
2. Bright
→ Despite the gloomy weather, John's bright personality shone through, lifting the spirits of everyone around her.
→ The scientist conducted a series of experiments to shed light on the bright possibilities of harnessing solar energy as a sustainable power source.
3. Arm
→ As the clock struck twelve, Jack decided to arm himself with knowledge, embracing a book in his left arm and a determination to excel in his studies.
→ The knight, with his strong right arm, skillfully wielded his sword, showcasing the prowess he had gained through years of arduous training.
4. Die
→ Despite his best efforts, the soldier could not escape the inevitable; he knew he would either die on the battlefield or live with the scars of war forever.
→ The old machine shop was using a worn-out die but the skilled artisan managed to intricately craft a precisely detailed metal sculpture
5. Express
→ The dedicated hiker continued to express his enthusiasm for reaching the mountain summit.
→ The courier service was hired to express the confidential documents to the client overseas.
6. Fair
→ Emily realized that the fair distribution of resources among the community members was essential for fostering unity and cooperation.
→ The judge commended the fair-minded approach of the jury, as they carefully weighed the evidence to ensure a just and impartial verdict.
7. Kind
→ She maintained a kind demeanour throughout the entire conversation, displaying remarkable composure.
→ The artist used various shades of paint to create a kind of masterpiece that captivated everyone who gazed upon it.
8. Lie
→ Mark continued to lie about completing his homework, creating a web of deception that ultimately led to his academic downfall.
→ The intricate lie woven by the protagonist in the novel deceives the characters within the story.
9. Pound
→ The athlete decided to pound the heavy punching bag in the gym to enhance his boxing skills.
→ As the chef prepared the recipe, she instructed her assistant to pound the spices in a mortar and pestle for maximum flavour.
10. Quarry
→ As the sunlight glistened on the quarry walls, the workers diligently extracted stones to meet the demand for construction materials in the booming city.
→ Despite the challenging terrain, the quarry's manager displayed remarkable skill in manoeuvring heavy machinery to extract valuable resources efficiently.
11. Draft
→ While the skilled carpenter used a drafting tool to meticulously sketch the intricate details of the furniture design, the amateur struggled to complete a rough draft of the same project.
→ As the author sat down to draft the final chapter of his novel, he couldn't help but reminisce about the initial draft.
12. Spring
→ The weary blacksmith decided to spring into action and forge a new spring for the carriage, ensuring a smooth ride for the upcoming royal procession.
→ As the gardener planted tulip bulbs in the fertile soil, he couldn't help but think about the spring of his youth, a time filled with endless possibilities and vibrant colours.
13. Rock
→ The geologist was determined to unearth the secrets of the ancient rock, carefully chiselling away at the stone to reveal its hidden history.
→ The energetic crowd at the concert couldn't resist swaying to the rhythmic beats, creating a lively atmosphere that seemed to make time stand still in the presence of the rock band.
14. Rose
→ As the Sun dipped below the horizon, the beautiful rose in the garden bloomed, casting a warm glow on the surroundings.
→ Despite facing adversity, her confidence rose like a phoenix, showcasing strength and resilience.
15. Tire
→ The weary traveller decided to retire to his hotel room after a long day of exploring the ancient city.
→ The mechanic advised the driver to check the tire pressure regularly to ensure smooth and safe journeys.
Learn more about: Homophones for Class 10
Term |
Spelling |
Pronunciation |
Meaning |
Examples |
Homophones |
Different |
Same |
Different |
"Flour" (powder used in baking) and "flower" (blossom of a plant). |
Homonyms |
Same |
Same |
Different |
"Bow" (bend forward) and "bow" (weapon for shooting arrows). |
Homographs |
Same |
May/ May not |
Different |
"Tear" (to rip) and "tear" (a drop of saline fluid from the eye). |
1. How to differentiate between homophones in writing?
Answer: We can identify homophones by paying attention to the context of the sentence and understanding the meaning of the sentence to determine which homophone is appropriate.
2. Are all homonyms also homophones?
Answer: No, not all homonyms can be homophones because while homophones sound the same, homonyms may or may not sound the same. Some homonyms have different pronunciations but share the same spelling.
In this section, you will find interesting and well-explained topic-wise video summary of the topic, perfect for quick revision before your Olympiad exams.
***COMING SOON***
CREST Olympiads has launched this initiative to provide free reading and practice material. In order to make this content more useful, we solicit your feedback.
Do share improvements at info@crestolympiads.com. Please mention the URL of the page and topic name with improvements needed. You may include screenshots, URLs of other sites, etc. which can help our Subject Experts to understand your suggestions easily.