Homophones

Scull vs. Skull

Scull and skull are two words that may be quite confusing. Though they are pronounced in the same way, these two words are spelled differently and have different meanings. They are homophones. We will look at the definitions of the words scull and skull, where these two words come from and some examples of their use in sentences. A scull is an oar with a flat blade that is used to propel a boat. Sculls may be used singly or …

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Whoa vs. Woe – Spelling, Meaning & Examples

Whenever I see or hear the word ‘whoa,’ I can’t help but think of the T.V. show “Blossom” from when I was a kid. Every time her brother, Joey, came on the screen, you knew he was about to say it. But what does the expression actually mean, and why does it sound just like the word woe? There’s a big difference between the two, so I’ll explain everything you should know in this simple guide. Woe and Whoa Definition …

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Slow vs. Sloe

Slow and sloe are two words that are pronounced the same way but have different meanings and are spelled differently. They are homophones. We will look at the definitions of the terms slow and sloe, where the words come from and some examples of their use in sentences. Slow means moving at a low rate of speed, operating at a low rate of speed, not fast, lasting a long amount of time. Slow may also be used to mean uneventful …

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Seas, sees or seize

Seas, sees and seize are three words that are pronounced the same way but are spelled differently and have different meanings. They are homophones. We will look at the difference in meaning between seas, sees and seize, where the words come from and some examples of their use in sentences.  Seas refers to the oceans that cover the earth, the mass of salt water that surrounds the land masses. Geographically, the term sea refers to smaller salt water areas where …

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Reed vs read

Reed and read are two words that may be pronounced in the same fashion but are spelled differently and have different meanings. They are homophones. We will look at the definitions of reed and read, where these words come from and some examples of their use in sentences. A reed is a type of tall grass that grows in wetlands such as bogs, swamps and the shallows of rivers or creeks. Reeds have jointed, hollow stalks. In Britain, reed also …

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Step vs. Steppe

Step and steppe are two words that are pronounced in the same way but are spelled differently and have different meanings. They are homophones. We will look at the definitions of step and steppe, where the words come from and some examples of their use in sentences. Step means to pick up one foot and place it in another position, transferring one’s weight in order to move through space, the distance covered by picking up one’s foot and placing it …

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Ceiling vs sealing

Ceiling and sealing are two words that are pronounced in the same way but are spelled differently and have different meanings. They are homophones. We will look at the difference between the words ceiling and sealing, where the words come from and some examples of their use in sentences. A ceiling is the upper, inner surface of a room. The word ceiling is also used figuratively to mean an upper limit, the maximum altitude that a plane may reach or …

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Cellar vs. Seller

Cellar and seller are two words that are pronounced the same way but are spelled differently and have different meanings. They are homophones. We will examine the definitions of cellar and seller, where these words come from and some examples of their use in sentences. A cellar is a room or a floor built beneath the ground floor of a building, a cellar is a basement. Cellar may also be used to mean the place where wine is stored or …

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Surge vs. Serge

Surge and serge are two words that are often confused, they are pronounced the same way but have different spellings and meanings. They are homophones. We will examine the meanings of the terms surge and serge, where these terms come from and some examples of their use in sentences. Surge means a strong and sudden rush upward and forward, a rolling motion, a sudden increase. A storm surge is an abnormally high rise of water from the ocean because of …

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Rot vs. Wrought

Rot and wrought are two words that are pronounced similarly but are spelled differently and have different meanings. They are homophones. We will look at the definitions of the words rot and wrought, where these terms come from and some examples of their use in sentences. Rot means to decompose, to decay due to bacterial action. Rot may be used as a noun or a verb, related words are rots, rotted, rotting, rotten. The word rot is also used in …

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