* Homographs are words that are spelled the same but have different meanings. They may or may not be pronounced the same.
* Homophones are words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings.
Here's an example to illustrate:
* Homograph: "Bat" can refer to a nocturnal flying mammal or a piece of sporting equipment. They are spelled the same but pronounced differently.
* Homophone: "To, too, two" are all pronounced the same but spelled differently.
Here's a table summarizing the difference:
| Feature | Homograph | Homophone |
|---|---|---|
| Spelling | Same | Different |
| Pronunciation | May or may not be the same | Same |
| Meaning | Different | Different |
Examples:
Homographs:
* "Bat" (animal) and "bat" (sports equipment)
* "Bow" (a knot) and "bow" (to bend)
* "Lead" (a metal) and "lead" (to guide)
Homophones:
* "There, their, they're"
* "Hear, here"
* "See, sea"
Remember, even though these words sound alike or look alike, their meanings are different. Using the wrong one can lead to confusion and grammatical errors!