homophonous

American  

[huh-mof-uh-nuhs, hoh-] / həˈmɒf ə nəs, hoʊ- /

adjective

1. identical in pronunciation.

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homophonous British  

/ hɒˈmɒfənəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or denoting a homophone

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Usage

What does homophonous mean? Homophonous is used to describe words that are pronounced exactly the same. If two words are described as homophonous, it means they are homophones—words that sound the same but have different meanings, whether they’re spelled the same or not. There, their, and they’re are homophonous. So are bark (the sound a dog makes) and bark (the covering of a tree). As long as two (or more) words have the same pronunciation, they are homophonous. Example: Many English words are homophonous, which can make things confusing, even for native speakers.

Etymology

Origin of homophonous

1745–55; < Greek homóphōnos of the same sound; homo-, phon-, -ous

Example Sentences

The tussle between the popstar and the Australian fashion designer over the homophonous name began in 2008 when Taylor registered the "Katie Perry" brand in Australia.

From Reuters • Apr. 28, 2023

But she was hoisted by her own homophonous petard.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 3, 2021

Josh’s Darren Bennett: The pleasure and pain of sharing a homophonous surname with Zach LaVine.

From Slate • Dec. 10, 2018

The first is that the pie will be round—after all, if pies weren’t circular, their only relationship to pi would be homophonous.

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2015

According to phonetic law the latter word should have become litch in modern English; but it very early underwent a punning alteration which made it homophonous with the ancient word for physician.

From Society for Pure English Tract 4 The Pronunciation of English Words Derived from the Latin by Sargeaunt, John