Homophones

Question 1

affected/effected

Answer 1

Affected (verb, past tense of affect):
- Means to influence or have an impact on something.
- Example: “The storm affected the crops.”

Effected (verb, past tense of effect):
- Means to cause something to happen or bring about a result.
- Example: “The new policy effected significant changes in the company.”

Question 2

aloud/allowed

Answer 2

Aloud (adverb):
- Means to speak in a voice that can be heard, as opposed to silently.
- Example: “She read the story aloud to the class.”

Allowed (verb, past tense of allow):
- Means to permit or give permission for something.
- Example: “He was allowed to leave early.”

Question 3

based/baste

Answer 3

Based (adjective or verb):
- As an adjective, it refers to something being founded or grounded on a principle or fact.
- Example: “The argument was based on solid evidence.”
- As a verb (past tense of base), it means to use something as a foundation or starting point.
- Example: “He based his conclusion on the data.”

Baste (verb):
- Means to moisten food while cooking by pouring or brushing liquid over it, often to keep it from drying out.
- Example: “She basted the turkey with butter.”

Question 4

bow/beau

Answer 4

Bow (noun/verb):
- As a noun: A curved weapon for shooting arrows or a decorative knot.
- Example: “He shot an arrow with his bow.”
- As a verb: To bend the body forward as a gesture of respect.
- Example: “She bowed before the audience.”

Beau (noun):
- A term for a male admirer or boyfriend.
- Example: “She introduced her beau to her family.”

Question 5

bow/bough

Answer 5

Bow (noun/verb):
- As a noun: A curved weapon for shooting arrows or a decorative knot.
- Example: “He shot an arrow with his bow.”
- As a verb: To bend the body forward as a gesture of respect.
- Example: “She bowed before the audience.”

Bough (noun):
- A large branch of a tree.
- Example: “The boughs of the oak tree were heavy with leaves.”

Question 6

brake/break

Answer 6

Brake (noun/verb):
• As a noun: A device used to slow down or stop a vehicle.
• Example: “The car’s brakes need to be repaired.”
• As a verb: To slow down or stop.
• Example: “He braked suddenly to avoid hitting the deer.”

Break (noun/verb):
•	As a verb: To separate into pieces or interrupt something.
•	Example: “She broke the vase by accident.”
•	As a noun: An interruption or gap.
•	Example: “They took a break during the meeting.”

Question 7

buoy/boy

Answer 7

Buoy (noun/verb):
• As a noun: A floating object used as a marker or to signal a location in water.
• Example: “The buoy marked the edge of the safe swimming zone.”
• As a verb: To keep afloat or uplift.
• Example: “Her spirits were buoyed by the good news.”

Boy (noun):
• A male child or young man.
• Example: “The boy was playing in the park.”

Question 8

cache/cash

Answer 8

Cache (noun):
• A hidden storage or reserve of something, often valuable.
• Example: “They discovered a cache of old coins.”

Cash (noun/verb):
• As a noun: Physical money (coins or paper currency).
• Example: “He paid for the meal in cash.”
• As a verb: To convert something, such as a check, into money.
• Example: “She cashed her paycheck.”

Question 9

cannon/canon

Answer 9

Cannon (noun):
• A large, heavy gun, typically mounted and used in warfare.
• Example: “The soldiers fired the cannon at the fortress.”

Canon (noun):
• A set of rules, principles, or works considered as authoritative, often in literature, religion, or art.
• Example: “Shakespeare’s plays are part of the English literary canon.”

Question 10

capital/capitol

Answer 10

Capital (noun/adjective):
• As a noun: The city where a government is based, or wealth used for investment.
• Example: “Paris is the capital of France.”
• Example: “He raised capital to start his business.”
• As an adjective: Related to wealth or principal importance.
• Example: “He committed a capital offense.”

Capitol (noun):
• A building where a legislative body meets, specifically in the U.S. (like the Capitol in Washington, D.C.).
• Example: “The protesters gathered outside the Capitol.”

Question 11

carat/carrot/caret/karat

Answer 11

Carat (noun):
• A unit of weight for gemstones, especially diamonds (1 carat = 200 mg).
• Example: “The diamond weighed two carats.”

Carrot (noun):
• A vegetable that is typically orange and long.
• Example: “She added carrots to the stew.”

Caret (noun):
• A symbol (^) used in writing to indicate where something needs to be inserted.
• Example: “The editor placed a caret to indicate missing text.”

Karat (noun):
• A measure of the purity of gold (24 karats being pure gold).
• Example: “Her ring was made of 18-karat gold.”

Question 12

chord/cord/cored

Answer 12

Chord (noun):
• A group of musical notes played together, creating harmony.
• Example: “He played a beautiful chord on the piano.”

Cord (noun):
• A long, thin, flexible material (like rope or string) used for binding or connecting.
• Example: “She tied the package with a cord.”

Cored (verb, past tense of core):
• Means to remove the central part, often referring to fruits.
• Example: “He cored the apples before slicing them.”

Question 13

chute/shoot

Answer 13

Chute (noun):
• A passage or slide for moving things downward, or a parachute.
• Example: “The laundry was dropped down the chute.”

Shoot (verb):
• To fire a bullet, arrow, or similar projectile, or to take a photograph.
• Example: “He shot an arrow into the target.”
• As a noun: A new growth from a plant.
• Example: “The plant had new shoots in the spring.”

Question 14

complacent/complaisant

Answer 14

Complacent (adjective):
• Feeling self-satisfied or smug, often without awareness of potential dangers or flaws.
• Example: “He was complacent about his grades, not realizing he was close to failing.”

Complaisant (adjective):
• Willing to please others or agree to their wishes; obliging.
• Example: “She was complaisant, always doing what others asked without complaint.”

Question 15

complement/compliment

Answer 15

Complement (noun/verb):
• As a noun: Something that completes or goes well with something else.
• Example: “The wine was a perfect complement to the meal.”
• As a verb: To complete or enhance.
• Example: “The colors complement each other beautifully.”

Compliment (noun/verb):
• As a noun: A polite expression of praise or admiration.
• Example: “She gave him a compliment on his performance.”
• As a verb: To praise or express admiration.
• Example: “He complimented her on her excellent presentation.”

Question 16

coolie/coulee

Answer 16

Coolie (noun, offensive):
• A derogatory term historically used for a laborer from Asia, especially India or China. It is now considered outdated and offensive.
• Example: “The word ‘coolie’ should not be used due to its offensive nature.”

Coulee (noun):
• A deep, dry ravine or a streambed, often found in desert or semi-arid regions.
• Example: “The hikers crossed a wide coulee before reaching the canyon.”

Question 17

coral/choral

Answer 17

Coral (noun):
• A marine organism that forms reefs in warm, shallow ocean waters, or a pinkish-orange color.
• Example: “The coral reef is home to many species of fish.”

Choral (adjective):
• Related to a choir or group singing.
• Example: “The choral performance was magnificent.”

Question 18

creak/creek

Answer 18

Creak (noun/verb):
• As a noun: A high-pitched or harsh sound made by something being moved or strained (e.g., a door, floorboards).
• Example: “The old chair made a loud creak when I sat down.”
• As a verb: To make a creaking sound.
• Example: “The door creaked as it slowly opened.”

Creek (noun):
• A small stream or a narrow, shallow waterway.
• Example: “They walked along the edge of the creek.”

Question 19

cygnet/signet

Answer 19

Cygnet (noun):
• A young swan.
• Example: “The mother swan guided her cygnets across the pond.”

Signet (noun):
• A small seal, often on a ring, used for stamping a signature or as a symbol of authority.
• Example: “The king used a signet ring to seal the document.”

Question 20

dam/damn

Answer 20

Dam (noun):
• A barrier constructed to hold back water, often creating a reservoir.
• Example: “The dam prevented the river from flooding the village.”

Damn (verb/interjection):
• As a verb: To condemn or curse.
• Example: “He felt damned by his bad luck.”
• As an interjection: A mild curse or expression of frustration.
• Example: “Damn! I forgot my keys.”

Question 21

dane/deign

Answer 21

Dane (noun):
• A person from Denmark, or of Danish descent.
• Example: “He is a proud Dane, born and raised in Copenhagen.”

Deign (verb):
• To do something reluctantly or with a sense of superiority, often implying that the action is beneath one’s dignity.
• Example: “She wouldn’t deign to speak to her critics.”

Question 22

defised/diffused

Answer 22

Defused (verb, past tense of defuse):
• To remove the fuse from a bomb or to calm a tense situation.
• Example: “The negotiator defused the conflict between the two groups.”

Diffused (verb, past tense of diffuse):
• To spread something widely over an area or among many people.
• Example: “The sunlight diffused softly through the curtains.”

Question 23

disburse/disperse

Answer 23

Disburse (verb):
• To pay out money, often from a fund or account.
• Example: “The organization disbursed funds to the local charities.”

Disperse (verb):
• To scatter or spread out in different directions.
• Example: “The crowd dispersed after the concert ended.”

Question 24

discreet/discrete

Answer 24

Discreet (adjective):
• Careful or tactful in one’s actions or speech to avoid attention or embarrassment.
• Example: “She was discreet in handling the sensitive information.”

Discrete (adjective):
• Separate or distinct; individually separate and distinct units.
• Example: “The project was divided into discrete stages.”

Question 25

doze/does

Answer 25

Doze (verb/noun):
• As a verb: To take a light nap or fall asleep briefly.
• Example: “He dozed off during the movie.”
• As a noun: A brief, light sleep.
• Example: “I had a quick doze before dinner.”

Does (noun):
• The plural of doe, which refers to female deer.
• Example: “We spotted several does grazing in the meadow.”

Question 26

dyeing/dying

Answer 26

Dyeing (verb, present participle of dye):
• The process of coloring fabric or other materials with dye.
• Example: “She is dyeing her hair red.”

Dying (verb, present participle of die):
• The process of ceasing to live.
• Example: “The plant is dying from lack of water.”

Question 27

earn/urn

Answer 27

Earn (verb):
• To receive money or other compensation in return for work or effort.
• Example: “She earned a promotion after years of hard work.”

Urn (noun):
• A container, often with a lid, used for storing the ashes of a deceased person or for holding liquid.
• Example: “The family placed the ashes in a decorative urn.”

Question 28

elicit/illicit

Answer 28

Elicit (verb):
• To draw out a response, reaction, or information from someone.
• Example: “The teacher’s question elicited thoughtful answers from the students.”

Illicit (adjective):
• Forbidden by law, rules, or customs; illegal.
• Example: “He was arrested for his involvement in illicit activities.”

Question 29

ewe/you/yew

Answer 29

Ewe (noun):
• A female sheep.
• Example: “The ewe gave birth to two lambs.”

You (pronoun):
• The pronoun referring to the person being spoken or written to.
• Example: “You are invited to the party.”

Yew (noun):
• A type of evergreen tree with red berries, often found in churchyards.
• Example: “The yew trees lined the path to the cemetery.”

Question 30

exceed/accede

Answer 30

Exceed (verb):
• To go beyond a limit or standard.
• Example: “The car exceeded the speed limit.”

Accede (verb):
• To agree to a request or demand; to take on a position of authority, especially a throne.
• Example: “The king acceded to the throne after his father’s death.”

Question 31

except/accept

Answer 31

Except (preposition/conjunction/verb):
• As a preposition: Excluding; not including.
• Example: “Everyone was invited except John.”
• As a conjunction: Used to introduce the only condition where something does not apply.
• Example: “I would go, except I’m too tired.”
• As a verb: To exclude or leave out.
• Example: “He was excepted from the rule due to special circumstances.”

Accept (verb):
• To receive something willingly, or to agree to a proposal or situation.
• Example: “She accepted the job offer.”
• Example: “He accepted the gift with gratitude.”

Question 32

feat/feet

Answer 32

Feat (noun):
• An achievement that requires great skill, strength, or courage.
• Example: “Climbing the mountain was an incredible feat.”

Feet (noun, plural of foot):
• The lower extremities of the legs, used for standing or walking.
• Example: “His feet were sore after the long walk.”

Question 33

fête/fate

Answer 33

Fête (noun/verb):
• As a noun: A celebration, festival, or party.
• Example: “They hosted a summer fête in the village.”
• As a verb: To honor or celebrate someone with a special event.
• Example: “The artist was fêted at a grand reception.”

Fate (noun):
• The development of events beyond a person’s control, often regarded as predetermined.
• Example: “She believed it was her fate to become an author.”

Question 34

fisher/fissure

Answer 34

Fisher (noun):
• A person who catches fish, either for sport or as a profession.
• Example: “The fisher spent all day out on the lake.”

Fissure (noun):
• A long, narrow opening or crack in a surface, especially in rock or the ground.
• Example: “A deep fissure appeared after the earthquake.”

Question 35

flu/flue/flew

Answer 35

Flu (noun, short for influenza):
• A common viral illness that causes fever, aches, and respiratory symptoms.
• Example: “She was bedridden for a week with the flu.”

Flue (noun):
• A duct or pipe for conveying exhaust gases, such as from a fireplace or furnace.
• Example: “The chimney flue was clogged with soot.”

Flew (verb, past tense of fly):
• The past tense of fly, meaning to move through the air.
• Example: “The bird flew over the trees.”

Question 36

fowl/foul

Answer 36

Fowl (noun):
• A bird, especially one raised for food, such as a chicken, duck, or turkey.
• Example: “They keep fowl on their farm for eggs and meat.”

Foul (adjective/noun/verb):
• As an adjective: Unpleasant or dirty.
• Example: “The air smelled foul due to the pollution.”
• As a noun: A violation of the rules in a game or sport.
• Example: “The referee called a foul during the match.”
• As a verb: To make something dirty or violate rules.
• Example: “The players fouled each other during the game.”

Question 37

franc/frank

Answer 37

Franc (noun):
• The former currency of France and some other countries before the euro.
• Example: “He had a few francs left from his trip to Paris.”

Frank (adjective/noun):
• As an adjective: Honest and direct in speech or writing.
• Example: “She gave a frank assessment of the situation.”
• As a noun: A male given name.
• Example: “Frank is coming to the meeting later.”

Question 38

frees/freeze/frieze

Answer 38

Frees (verb, present tense of free):
• To release or liberate someone or something.
• Example: “The lawyer helped free the wrongly imprisoned man.”

Freeze (verb/noun):
• As a verb: To turn into ice or to stop movement or activity.
• Example: “Water freezes at 0°C.”
• As a noun: A state of being frozen or stopped.
• Example: “There was a freeze on hiring at the company.”

Frieze (noun):
• A decorative band or horizontal panel, often on a wall or building.
• Example: “The frieze along the top of the building depicted ancient gods.”

Question 39

fryer/friar

Answer 39

Fryer (noun):
• A deep pan used for frying food, or a chicken suitable for frying.
• Example: “She used a fryer to make crispy french fries.”

Friar (noun):
• A member of a religious order, typically in the Roman Catholic Church.
• Example: “The friar dedicated his life to serving the poor.”

Question 40

fur/fir

Answer 40

Fur (noun):
• The thick coat of soft hair covering some animals.
• Example: “The cat’s fur was soft and fluffy.”

Fir (noun):
• A type of evergreen tree with needle-like leaves, often used as Christmas trees.
• Example: “They decorated a tall fir tree for Christmas.”

Question 41

gate/gait

Answer 41

Gate (noun):
• A hinged barrier used to close an opening in a wall, fence, or enclosure.
• Example: “They walked through the garden gate.”

Gait (noun):
• A person or animal’s manner of walking or moving.
• Example: “The horse had a smooth, graceful gait.”

Question 42

gorilla/guerrilla

Answer 42

Gorilla (noun):
• A large, powerful primate native to the forests of central Africa.
• Example: “The gorilla was spotted in the dense jungle.”

Guerrilla (noun/adjective):
• As a noun: A member of a small independent group engaging in irregular warfare, typically against larger regular forces.
• Example: “The guerrillas launched a surprise attack on the outpost.”
• As an adjective: Relating to guerrilla tactics.
• Example: “They used guerrilla warfare to resist the invasion.”

Question 43

guild/gild

Answer 43

Guild (noun):
• An association of people with similar interests or professions, often in medieval times for trade or craftsmanship.
• Example: “The blacksmiths belonged to a powerful guild in the city.”

Gild (verb):
• To cover something with a thin layer of gold, or to make something appear better than it is.
• Example: “They gilded the frame of the painting to make it more ornate.”

Question 44

hangar/hanger

Answer 44

Hangar (noun):
• A large building where aircraft are stored or repaired.
• Example: “The planes were kept in the hangar during the storm.”

Hanger (noun):
• A device used for hanging clothes or other items.
• Example: “He put his jacket on a hanger in the closet.”

Question 45

hoard/horde

Answer 45

Hoard (noun/verb):
• As a noun: A hidden stockpile of valuable items, or an accumulation of something.
• Example: “The pirate’s hoard of treasure was hidden on the island.”
• As a verb: To accumulate and store away for future use.
• Example: “She hoards food in case of an emergency.”

Horde (noun):
• A large group or crowd, often used to describe people or animals.
• Example: “A horde of tourists descended on the small village.”

Question 46

horse/hoarse

Answer 46

Horse (noun):
• A large domesticated animal used for riding, work, or racing.
• Example: “She rode her horse across the field.”

Hoarse (adjective):
• A rough, husky voice, often due to illness or overuse.
• Example: “After shouting all day, his voice was hoarse.”

Question 47

isle/i’ll/aisle

Answer 47

Isle (noun):
• A small island.
• Example: “They sailed around the isle, admiring the view.”

I’ll (contraction of I will):
• A shortened form of “I will.”
• Example: “I’ll meet you at the restaurant.”

Aisle (noun):
• A passage between rows of seats, shelves, or other structures.
• Example: “They walked down the aisle to take their seats at the wedding.”

Question 48

knight/night

Answer 48

Knight (noun):
• A person granted honorary title of knighthood by a monarch or other leader, often for service in combat or chivalry.
• Example: “The brave knight fought for his king.”

Night (noun):
• The period of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
• Example: “The stars were bright in the night sky.”

Question 49

ladder/latter

Answer 49

Ladder (noun):
• A device used for climbing, consisting of two parallel sides connected by rungs.
• Example: “He used a ladder to reach the roof.”

Latter (adjective):
• Referring to the second of two things mentioned, or the final stages of something.
• Example: “In the latter part of the book, the plot becomes more intense.”

Question 50

leach/leech

Answer 50

Leach (verb):
• To drain or remove a substance, typically minerals or chemicals, by the action of percolating liquid.
• Example: “Rainwater can leach nutrients from the soil.”

Leech (noun):
• A blood-sucking parasitic worm, or a person who takes advantage of others without giving anything in return.
• Example: “The leech attached itself to his leg during the swim.”

Question 51

leak/leek

Answer 51

Leak (noun/verb):
• As a noun: An unintended hole or crack that allows liquid, gas, or light to escape.
• Example: “The pipe had a leak, and water was flooding the basement.”
• As a verb: To allow liquid, gas, or light to escape unintentionally.
• Example: “The roof started to leak during the heavy rain.”

Leek (noun):
• A vegetable related to onions and garlic, with a long white stalk and green leaves.
• Example: “She added chopped leek to the soup for extra flavor.”

Question 52

liar/lier/lyre

Answer 52

Liar (noun):
• A person who tells lies or is habitually untruthful.
• Example: “He’s a known liar, so no one believes his stories.”

Lier (noun):
• A person who lies down (though this word is very rarely used in modern English).
• Example: “The lier rested in the shade.” (Rarely seen in current usage)

Lyre (noun):
• A stringed musical instrument, similar to a small harp, used in ancient Greece.
• Example: “The musician played a beautiful melody on the lyre.”

Question 53

manner/manor

Answer 53

Manner (noun):
• A way of doing something or behavior.
• Example: “She has a polite and respectful manner.”

Manor (noun):
• A large country house or estate, historically the dwelling of a noble or lord.
• Example: “They lived in a grand manor on the edge of the village.”

Question 54

principal/principle

Answer 54

Principal (noun/adjective):
• As a noun: The person in charge of a school or organization.
• Example: “The school principal gave a speech at the assembly.”
• As an adjective: Most important or primary.
• Example: “The principal reason for his decision was financial.”

Principle (noun):
• A fundamental truth, law, or standard, often serving as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior.
• Example: “She stood by her principles, even when it was difficult.”

Question 55

sighted/cited/sided

Answer 55

Sighted (adjective/verb):
• As an adjective: Having the ability to see.
• Example: “He is sighted, while his brother is blind.”
• As a verb (past tense of sight): To have seen something.
• Example: “They sighted the rare bird in the forest.”

Cited (verb, past tense of cite):
• To refer to or quote a source, or to summon someone to appear in court.
• Example: “The researcher cited several studies in her paper.”

Sided (verb, past tense of side):
• To have taken a side in a disagreement or conflict.
• Example: “He sided with his friends during the argument.”

Question 56

skull/scull

Answer 56

Skull (noun):
• The bone structure forming the head and protecting the brain.
• Example: “The X-ray showed a fracture in his skull.”

Scull (noun/verb):
• As a noun: An oar used in rowing or the act of rowing with such an oar.
• Example: “They competed in the scull race on the river.”
• As a verb: To propel a boat using sculls.
• Example: “He sculled the boat across the lake.”

Question 57

soar/sore

Answer 57

Soar (verb):
• To fly or rise high in the air, or to increase rapidly.
• Example: “The eagle soared above the mountains.”

Sore (adjective/noun):
• As an adjective: Feeling pain or discomfort.
• Example: “His muscles were sore after the workout.”
• As a noun: A painful or irritated spot on the body.
• Example: “She had a sore on her ankle from the tight shoes.”

Question 58

threw/through

Answer 58

Threw (verb, past tense of throw):
• The act of propelling something with force through the air.
• Example: “He threw the ball to his teammate.”

Through (preposition/adverb):
• Moving in one side and out the other, or from beginning to end.
• Example: “They walked through the tunnel.”

Question 59

vice/vise

Answer 59

Vice (noun):
• A moral failing, a habit considered immoral or harmful, or a criminal activity.
• Example: “Greed is considered a common vice.”

Vise (noun):
• A tool used to hold an object firmly in place while work is being done on it.
• Example: “He used a vise to hold the piece of wood steady while sawing.”

Question 60

waist/waste

Answer 60

Waist (noun):
• The part of the body between the ribs and hips; often the narrowest part of the torso.
• Example: “She wore a belt around her waist.”

Waste (noun/verb):
• As a noun: Unwanted or unusable material or byproducts.
• Example: “The factory produces a lot of waste.”
• As a verb: To use something carelessly or inefficiently.
• Example: “Don’t waste your time on trivial matters.”

Question 61

wales/whales/wails

Answer 61

Wales (noun):
• A country that is part of the United Kingdom, located to the west of England.
• Example: “Wales is known for its stunning landscapes and castles.”

Whales (noun):
• Large marine mammals belonging to the order Cetacea, known for their size and intelligence.
• Example: “Whales can be found in oceans all over the world.”

Wails (verb/noun):
• As a verb: To make a long, high-pitched cry, often expressing grief or pain.
• Example: “She wails in sorrow at the loss of her pet.”
• As a noun: A loud, mournful cry.
• Example: “The wails of the sirens filled the air.”

Question 62

witch/which

Answer 62

Witch (noun):
• A person, typically a woman, believed to have magical powers, often associated with witchcraft.
• Example: “The story features a wicked witch who casts spells.”

Which (pronoun/adjective):
• Used to introduce a clause or to ask about one or more items from a defined set.
• Example: “Which book do you want to read?”

Question 63

write/right/rite

Answer 63

Write (verb):
• To form letters, words, or symbols on a surface, typically paper, using a pen, pencil, or similar tool.
• Example: “She loves to write stories in her notebook.”

Right (adjective/adverb/noun):
• As an adjective: Correct, proper, or justified.
• Example: “You made the right choice.”
• As an adverb: In a direct or exact manner.
• Example: “Turn right at the intersection.”
• As a noun: A moral or legal entitlement to have or do something.
• Example: “Everyone has the right to freedom of speech.”

Rite (noun):
• A ceremonial act or series of acts performed in a specific way, often for religious or cultural purposes.
• Example: “The rite of passage marks the transition from childhood to adulthood.”