Short answer
Homonyms are a broad category that can include both homophones (same sound, different meaning or spelling) and homographs (same spelling, different meaning or pronunciation). Dictionary conventions vary: some restrict ‘homonym’ to words spelled and pronounced the same, while others use it more broadly. 1 2
Homonym is an umbrella term that may include homophones and homographs, but dictionary usage and boundaries differ.
On this page
At a glance
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| Question | homonym | homophone | homograph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same spelling? | Sometimes | Sometimes | Always |
| Same pronunciation? | Sometimes | Always | Sometimes |
The table summarizes the stated definitions and scope. 1 2 3 4
What each thing is
Homonym. A homonym is a word that shares its spelling or pronunciation with another word but differs in meaning; the term may refer to homophones, homographs, or both, depending on dictionary conventions. 1 2
Homophone. A homophone is one of two or more words that sound the same but have different meanings, spellings, or derivations; spelling may differ or be the same, but pronunciation is identical. 1 3
Homograph. A homograph is a word that shares its spelling with another word but differs in meaning, derivation, or pronunciation; pronunciation may be the same or different, but spelling is always identical. 1 4
Key differences
The main distinguishing axis is whether the similarity is in pronunciation, spelling, or both. Homophones are grouped by sound, homographs by spelling, and homonyms may refer to either or both, depending on the source. 1 2 3 4
How to tell them apart
To test if two words are homophones, say them aloud; if they sound the same, they qualify. For homographs, check spelling. Homonym status depends on which dictionary convention you follow. 1 3 4
Where they overlap
Some words are both homophones and homographs, sharing both spelling and pronunciation but differing in meaning. These are sometimes called ‘true homonyms’ in certain references. 1 2
Edge cases
Some dictionaries restrict ‘homonym’ to words spelled and pronounced alike but with different meanings, while others include all homophones and homographs. This leads to inconsistent usage in educational and reference materials. 1 2
Why the distinction exists
The distinction helps clarify whether confusion might arise in speech (homophones), writing (homographs), or both. The terms reflect different axes of similarity, not a historical sequence or hierarchy. 1 3 4
Common misconceptions
A common misconception is that homonyms always refer to words spelled and pronounced the same. In fact, many sources use ‘homonym’ more broadly, and conventions differ among dictionaries. 1 2
Examples
Consider ‘lead’ (to guide) and ‘lead’ (the metal): spelled the same, pronounced differently, and unrelated in meaning—making them homographs and, by some definitions, homonyms. ‘Pair’ and ‘pear’ are homophones but not homographs. 1 4
Sources
Sources checked October 3, 2026.
- Merriam-Webster — Homophones, Homographs, and Homonyms. Usage guide: definitions, examples and exceptions.
- Merriam-Webster — Homonym Definition & Meaning. Dictionary entry: definitions, usage examples and word history.
- Merriam-Webster — Homophone Definition & Meaning. Dictionary entry: definitions, usage examples and word history.
- Merriam-Webster — Homograph Definition & Meaning. Dictionary entry: definitions, usage examples and word history.