Homophones vs Homonyms vs Homographs: What’s the Difference?

Understanding Homophones, Homonyms, and Homographs: Key Differences Explained

Homophones are words that sound alike but have different meanings and spellings. For example, "whole" and "hole" sound identical but mean entirely different things.

Homonyms are words that sound the same and are spelled the same but have different meanings. Consider the word "rock": it can refer to a stone or the genre of music.

Homographs are words that are spelled the same but have different pronunciations and meanings. An example is "lead": it can mean a type of metal (led) or to guide someone (leed).

By distinguishing between these, you can enhance your vocabulary and avoid common mistakes in English usage.