Homophones

Hire (verb): to employ someone or to obtain the use of something for payment; to engage in work under an employer. In everyday use, it covers onboarding staff, contracting services, or renting equipment. The pronunciation is a short, crisp syllable with a voiced initial and a long value on the vowel, followed by a clean, final /r/ in American and many other dialects. Context determines whether it means employment or renting.

Hole is a noun referring to an opening or hollow space in a solid object or surface. It denotes a gap that allows passage or access, often circular, but can be any shape. The term can also describe a perforation or a void in a plan, fabric, or structure, and is commonly used in everyday and technical contexts.

Horse is a noun referring to a large domesticated mammal used for riding, work, or racing. It can also symbolize strength or speed in various contexts. The word is often encountered in everyday speech, idioms, and sports terminology.

Idle (noun) refers to a state of inactivity or not being engaged in work or action. It can describe a person not doing anything, or machinery that is not operating. In everyday usage, it often implies a temporary pause or lack of productive activity rather than a permanent condition. The term can also function as a verb in some contexts, meaning to spend time without purpose, though this is less common in formal writing.

Idol (noun): a person or thing greatly admired or revered, often worshipped or revered by fans or followers. In everyday use, it can refer to a celebrity, fictional character, or even an object of strong affection. The term carries connotations of admiration, aspiration, or idealization, sometimes with an implication of excessive devotion.

Knight is a noble title and a skilled warrior in historical or fantasy contexts. As a noun, it denotes a person granted chivalric rank or a defender of a realm; in modern usage, it can still imply honor or prowess. The word is silent-letters-rich, with a single-syllable pronunciation that blends consonantal and vowel cues from Old English roots. pronunciation varies by accent but the core meaning centers on status and valor.

Mail is a short, monosyllabic noun referring to items sent through a postal system or the system itself. It also denotes armor made of metal rings or plates, historically used for defense. In modern usage, it most often appears in contexts related to postal services, packages, and electronic communications like email.

Male (noun): a male person or animal; typically denotes the sex that produces small, mobile gametes and often has XY chromosomes. In everyday use, it contrasts with female and can refer to men, boys, or male animals, among other contexts. The term is common in biology, demographics, and social language, and appears in phrases like “male speaker” or “the male pronoun.”

Meet is a verb meaning to come into the presence or company of someone, or to encounter or satisfy a requirement or condition. It can describe arranging a gathering, facing someone in person, or fulfilling criteria. The word often appears in everyday conversation as a simple action, as in arranging to meet friends or meeting a deadline.

Muscle is a dense, fibrous tissue that attaches to bones and facilitates movement by contracting in response to nerve signals. It forms part of the muscular system, providing strength and stability for various physical activities. In everyday language, “muscle” also refers to physical strength or power. The word originates from Latin and has preserved its silent-letter spelling in modern English.

Nose (n.) the external organ on the face used for smelling and breathing; it also forms part of the nasal cavity’s entry path. In everyday use, it denotes the anatomical feature as well as a sensory function and, in phrases, a point of emphasis or scrutiny. The term appears in medical, aesthetic, and colloquial contexts, with attention to nasal sounds and nasal airflow in pronunciation.

Pail is a small, often metal or plastic container with a handle, used for carrying liquids or other substances. In everyday speech, it also appears in phrases like ‘pail full of water.’ The term is primarily a noun, but can act as the object of verbs like carry or fill. Pronunciation centers on the single stressed syllable with a long a sound.

Pair is a noun meaning two corresponding or identical objects, people, or things considered together. It also refers to a set designed for matching items, or a coupling of two people in various relationships. The term emphasizes duality and unity, often used in contexts like clothing (a pair of socks) or partnerships (a musical pair).

Pale is an adjective describing light color lacking intensity, brightness, or warmth, or something weak or lacking in comparison. It conveys a sense of washed-out or diminished color or quality. In usage, pale often appears in phrases like “pale blue” or “the pale light of dawn,” and can extend metaphorically to describe timidity or feebleness.

Pare is a verb meaning to trim or reduce something, especially by cutting away outer parts. It implies careful, incremental removal to expose the essential form or size. In everyday use, people pare down expenses or pare a haircut to desired length.

Peace (noun) refers to a state of mutual harmony or freedom from disturbance, often in social or interpersonal contexts, or a formal end to conflict. It denotes quietness, calm, and a lack of war or upheaval. The term also encompasses inner tranquility and the absence of agitation, both externally and within the self, in various cultural and religious frameworks.

Pear is a noun referring to a sweet, bell-shaped fruit produced by trees of the genus Pyrus. It has a crisp to tender flesh and a smooth skin, and is commonly eaten fresh or used in cooking. In everyday language, “pear” is often paired with “bread,” “tree,” or “pie” in common phrases and recipes.

Pour (noun, as in a continuous flow or quantity) refers to the act of transferring liquid from one container to another, typically described by verbs like pour, and can also denote the amount that is poured. In everyday use, it signals the movement of liquid and is often preceded by a determiner or quantifier (a pour, several pours). This entry emphasizes pronunciation and usage, especially the vowel quality and stress patterns in connected speech.

Principal is a two-syllable adjective meaning the most important or chief in rank. It is pronounced with stress on the first syllable in most contexts, and it is distinct from the noun principal. As an adjective, it often modifies decisions, ideas, or roles, indicating primary importance rather than secondary or incidental status.

Principle is a basic rule or assumption that guides behavior or thought. It denotes a fundamental, enduring standard or truth that informs decisions and judgments, distinct from a particular application or practice. The term often contrasts with guidelines or procedures, emphasizing core, universal ideals.

Road (noun) refers to a prepared or graded surface that vehicles travel on, typically widening to accommodate traffic. It can also denote a route or course taken to reach a destination, including streets, highways, or rural lanes. The term encompasses physical infrastructure and figurative pathways or directions in life or planning.

Rode is the simple past tense of ride, meaning to have travelled on horseback or in a vehicle in the past. In pronunciation, it is a single-syllable word pronounced with a long /oʊ/ vowel. The form is common in narrative past tense usage and appears in various idioms and collocations; context often clarifies whether it refers to riding a horse, a bike, or another conveyance.

Sail (noun) refers to a fabric or material stretched over a boat or ship’s mast to catch wind, enabling propulsion; it can also denote a voyage or the act of enacting something to achieve a goal. In nautical contexts, sails are central to maneuvering and speed, while figuratively they symbolize direction, aspiration, and progress. This entry covers the noun sense with attention to pronunciation nuances in English.

Sale is a noun referring to the act of selling or offering goods at a discount, or the event itself (a sale). It denotes a transaction where items are exchanged for money, often with promotional pricing. In everyday use, it can also describe the quantity of goods sold or the duration of a promotional period.