Homophones

Steal is a verb meaning to take someone else’s property without permission or legal right, typically secretly or dishonestly. It can also be used metaphorically to mean taking something quickly or without consent. The word conveys stealth, illicitness, and a breach of trust, and it often appears in idioms like “steal the show” or “steal away.”

Steel is a hard, alloyed metal known for its strength and durability, formed by adding carbon to iron and sometimes other elements. It is characterized by a high tensile strength and versatile uses—from construction to tools. The word also appears in figurative phrases like “steely resolve,” conveying firm, unwavering determination.

Sun refers to the star at the center of our solar system, around which Earth orbits. It is also used as the daytime counterpart to night and to describe sunlight. In pronunciation, the word is a single-syllable, short vowel word produced with a closed mouth and a final nasal, making it brisk and crisp in everyday speech.

Team refers to a group of individuals organized to work together toward a common goal. It conveys collaboration, coordination, and shared purpose, often implying equal contribution among members. In usage, the word can describe both formal athletic squads and workplace cohorts, emphasizing collective effort over individual action.

Teem means to be full of or swarming with people, things, or qualities; to abound or overflow. It also appears in contexts like crowds filling a space or ideas presenting in abundance. The core sense is rapid, plentiful presence, often implying movement or activity.

Tide refers to the regular rise and fall of adult sea levels caused by the gravitational forces of the Moon and Sun, or more generally to a current or drift of water or sentiment. It can also describe a general tendency or current of events, such as people being swept along by a tide of opinion. In pronunciation terms, it is a monosyllabic word with a long/short vowel contrast depending on stress in compounds. It is commonly used in nautical, meteorological, and metaphorical contexts.

Tied is the past tense and past participle of tie, referring to something secured or fastened tightly. It also means being level or draw in a competition. The pronunciation centers on a long “i” vowel followed by a voiced alveolar stop, creating a concise, single-syllable word. Contexts span clothing, straps, games, and abstract connections.

The cardinal number equivalent to the sum of one plus one; the second in a sequence or set. As an adjective: denoting a quantity of two.

Weak refers to a lack of strength, power, or effectiveness. It can describe physical frailty, weak evidence, or a weak emotional state. In language, it often conveys insufficiency or hesitation, and contrasts with strong, robust, or decisive. The term is concise, everyday and widely used across contexts.

Week is a standard time period of seven days, forming a recurring cycle in calendars and schedules. It also functions as a verb meaning to endure or to experience events over that period. In everyday speech, it’s a short, unstressed monosyllable pronounced with a long /iː/ vowel in most varieties when used as contrastive time-denotation, and with a reduced vowel in rapid discourse or certain phrases.