Earlier today I set you these two word puzzles. Here they are again with solutions.
1: Pronounced the same, spelt differently
A homonym is a word that has the same pronunciation as, or is spelt identical to, another word with a different meaning. For example, the letter 'a' has the homonym 'eh'. What's interesting about 'eh' is that it does not contain the letter it sounds like. There's no 'a' in 'eh'. Find another five letters in English that have homonyms that do not contain the letter they sound like. (One of the words may be a tad obscure, unless you know some Caribbean geography. Or like crossword puzzles.) These five letters (excluding 'a') spell a common word. What is it?
Solution
- Q - cue
- U - ewe or yew
- I - eye
- C - see or sea
- K - cay
As I was writing this I thought of a sixth, X = 'Ecks', the plural of Eck, the Scottish diminutive of Alex. But proper names don't count. (Scrabble rules.)
2: Spelt the same, pronounced differently
Find the homonyms below. Each pair of meanings describes a word that is spelt the same but pronounced differently. The words are listed in alphabetical order.
- (Second option) (Switch back and forth)
- (Suitable) (Commandeer)
- (Satisfied) (Components)
- (Conference attendee) (Assign)
- (Price reduction) (Disregard)
- (Way in) (Enrapture)
- (Incorrect) (Disabled)
- (60 seconds) (Tiny)
- (In attendance) (Give)
- (Fruit and vegetables) (Generate)
- (Deny) (Rubbish)
- (Distress) (Surprise victory)
Solution
- Alternate
- Appropriate
- Content
- Delegate
- Discount
- Entrance
- Invalid
- Minute
- Present
- Produce
- Refuse
- Upset
I hope you enjoyed these. Until next week's puzzle.
Sources: 1 Gerry Reynolds 2 Ryan McCormack
I've been setting a puzzle here on alternate Mondays since 2015. I'm always on the look-out for great puzzles. If you would like to suggest one, email me.
