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Which of the following accurately describes homophones?

  1. Words with the same meaning

  2. Words that are pronounced the same but differ in meaning

  3. Words that are spelled the same but differ in pronunciation

  4. Words that have opposite meanings

The correct answer is: Words that are pronounced the same but differ in meaning

Homophones are defined as words that sound the same when pronounced, but they have different meanings. This is an important aspect of language as it can affect both spoken and written communication. For example, "to," "two," and "too" are all homophones—they sound alike but represent different concepts. Understanding homophones is essential for effective language comprehension and usage, especially in reading and writing, where the differentiation of meaning based on context is crucial. This knowledge helps learners avoid misunderstandings and enhances their ability to interpret language nuances correctly. The other options describe different linguistic concepts, such as synonyms (same meaning), homographs (same spelling but different pronunciation), and antonyms (opposite meanings), which do not align with the definition of homophones.