Homonym/ˈhɑːmənɪm/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Sound Alike Homonyms can sound identical but have no relation in meaning. The words 'plane' and 'plain' sound alike but mean different things. Pro Tip 2/3Context Clues Use the surrounding words to figure out which homonym is meant. In 'They sailed the sea on a fair day,' 'fair' is a homonym of 'fare.' Pro Tip 3/3Verb-Noun Confusion Some homonyms are verbs in one context and nouns in another. 'Record' your voice, but 'a record' of achievement are homonyms.