What are Homophones?
Homophones are some of the trickiest words in the English language, but what is a homophone, anyway? They are defined as pairs (or sometimes triads) of words which sound the same, but which mean different things, like the classic homophones examples, there vs. their, and apart vs. a part. The prefix “homo-” means “the same,” while the root “phones” pertains to sound.
To keep your writing looking professional, it’s essential to know the correct usage of common homophones (pronounced: “HAA-muh-fohwns”), because mixing them up changes the meaning of what you’re trying to say. Aw, yikes!

Meanings of Homophones
To help learn the meanings of these commonly confused words, I have compiled the giant homophones word list below to help teach correct spelling, definitions, and usage, illustrated by fun cartoon lessons which solve the dilemma of which similarly-sounding word to use when.
Who am I to create this? My name is Lillie Marshall, and I’ve been an English teacher since 2003 — almost two decades! If you struggle with using homophones, you’re not alone; kids and adults around the world have used these lessons to improve their writing. Ready? Let’s learn!
Homophones: List of Examples
What are the most common and tricky pairs of homophones, and how can we remember the definitions to use the words correctly? This list gives meanings and examples in illustrated lessons!
Aloud vs. Allowed:
"Aloud" means "out loud," while "allowed" means "permitted." These are somewhat easier homophones to remember how to spell, because "aloud" has "LOUD" in it, while "allowed" has "ALLOW," thus giving helpful clues.
Apart vs. A Part:
Like "everyday," it's confusing to know whether "apart" is one word or two. Luckily, the answer is simple. "Apart" means separate from, while "a part" means part of. In fact, these homophones are opposites, so make sure to use the right one in order to preserve the meaning you intend!
Aww and Awe:
"Aww" or "aw" is the sound you make when something is cute, sad, or sweet, while "awe" is the feeling of amazed inspiration when something is awesome. See sentence examples here.
Everyday and Every Day:
Is this one word or two? Depends. "Everyday" is an adjective meaning "normal," while "every day" means "every single day." Learn how to use each in this illustrated lesson.
Flare vs. Flair:
"Flare" refers to a burst of light or a visual expansion. "Flair" is a talent for, or and exciting way of doing something. See a funny way to remember the difference here...
Hare vs. Hair
"Hare" is a cute bunny rabbit-like animal, while "hair" is what grows on the top of your head, or lightly on your arms, or on the body of an animal -- or peach!
Hear vs. Here
You can remember that "hear" is about listening to incoming sounds because the word ends with "ear." Meanwhile, "here" is about this location right tHERE. This article also discusses the exclamation, "Hear, Hear!"
It's vs. Its, Your vs. You're, and There vs. Their and They're
Ah, the classic homophones which so many kids and adults alike mix up! Learn how to tell them apart here in order to spiff up your writing.
Pair vs. Pear or Pare:
This triple homophone trio boasts wildly different meanings for the three words. "Pair" means two things that go together, or putting two things together that match in some way. "Pear" is a yummy fruit, and "to pare" means to cut away at the edges of something.
Passed and Past:
The definitions of "passed" vs. "past" is more complicated than can fit in this little blurb, so click through to see the full lesson, including lots of examples and sentences to explain each fully!
Peek vs. Peak or Pique
"Peek" means to look quickly at (verb) or one such look (noun). "Peak" is a mountain shape or the top of something (noun), the highest or best point (adjective), or to reach the greatest amount of something (verb). The word "pique" is much more rarely used, and means to intrigue or irritate (verb), or somewhat irrational irritation (noun). Click through to these illustrations for a clever way to remember this set of three homophones.
Roll vs. Role:
"Roll" has several meanings, but the most common definitions are: to move by rotating in a circle or to wrap something into a tight cylindrical package (verb) or a round bread (noun). "Role" is always a noun, and it means the part in a play or production an actor has, or the job or function someone or something has in a group or system.
Weather and Whether:
"Weather" means what the sky and air are doing (ex: rain), while "whether" essentially means "if." Click to the full lesson here to understand the nuances and extra examples of each.
Whose and Who's:
"Whose" is the possessive of "who," while "who's" is a contraction meaning "who is." See the full lesson with examples below.
Which Homophones are Hardest?
Now that you’ve seen this list, which of these pairs of homophones (or triads) do you find the trickiest to remember? For me, “its vs. it’s” always gets me, because it’s opposite the usual apostrophe rule of possession.
Worksheet on Homophones
How to TEACH Common Homophones
Want a printable (or electronic) four-page interactive lesson on more of the most commonly confused homophones — plus several other tricky editing errors? Click to see this grammar and editing worksheet from my online store, which gets high reviews! I hope you find it as useful and enjoyable as my students do. (Honestly — former pupils come back years later and say they remember these grammar and usage lessons fondly! It warms the heart of this teacher.)
VIDEO: Common Homophones
Homophones Examples to Add
Now it’s time to make requests! Which homophones examples would you like to see added to this list? Leave your thoughts in the comments below! Feel free to also browse my other English lessons, including commonly confused words, literary devices, and figurative language examples.


The author and artist, Lillie Marshall, is a National Board Certified Teacher of English who has been a public school educator since 2003, and an experienced Reiki practitioner since 2018. All art on this site is original and hand-drawn by Lillie. She launched DrawingsOf.com Educational Cartoons in 2020, building upon the success of her other two sites, AroundTheWorldL.com (established 2009) and TeachingTraveling.com (founded 2010). Subscribe to Lillie’s monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media to stay connected!
Genevieve | Fitty Foodlicious
Wednesday 26th of May 2021
This looks like such an informative post! Weather and whether get me too!
Soheila
Wednesday 26th of May 2021
whether and weather always gets me! The English language can be so overly complicated sometimes but I find your lessons and illustrations so helpful when it comes to simplifying things and breaking them down for easy understanding! Always great to have a little refresher!
Biana
Wednesday 26th of May 2021
Love your simple explanations and drawings! They always explain things well.
Lillie Marshall
Wednesday 26th of May 2021
Thanks, Biana! No need to get overly complex when the clearest and simplest explanation is more easily remembered and used!
Fiona Maclean
Monday 24th of May 2021
I love these clever examples to help improve my English!
Lillie Marshall
Monday 24th of May 2021
So glad to hear, Fiona! Thanks for reading and taking the time to leave a comment.