Homonyms from Curser to Due

Homonyms are two or more words that sound just alike, yet their spellings and meanings are different. Do you know the difference in meaning between cygnet and signet? Or how about the difference in meaning between darn and darne? Learn about these homonyms and others in this article.

curser, cursor
A curser is one who curses.
The crotchety old man was a curser.
On your computer, a cursor is the moving symbol on your screen that indicates position.
The cursor began to move erratically across the screen.

cygnet, signet
A cygnet is a young swan.
The cygnet swam across the lake calling for its mother.
A signet is an official seal.
The king signed the document and stamped it with his signet.

cymbal, symbol
A cymbal is a concave plate that when banged against another one of its kind makes a sharp, ringing sound.
Jonathan was the cymbal player for the marching band.
A symbol is an emblem, a token, or a sign used to represent something else.
The group had no idea what the meaning of the mysterious symbol could be.

dam, d**n
A dam is a barrier built across a river or stream to stop the flow of water.
The beavers were at work constructing a huge dam.
D**n means to condemn as a failure or to be bad. It is often used as a curse word.
D**n you and your insolence!

dammed, d**ned
When a body of water has been dammed, its flow of water has been obstructed.
Cave Run Lake was dammed years ago.
When someone or something has been d**ned, the person or object has been cursed.
The soul of the mass murderer has been d**ned to eternal torment.

darn, darne
When you darn something, you mend it with rows of stitches.
Because they had no money to buy new towels, Melinda sat down to darn the ones that were torn.
A darne is a fish steak.
Each person that came in to the restaurant that evening order a salmon darne.

days, daze
One day lasts for 24 hours. Days is more than one of these 24-hour periods.
The festival lasted for 4 days.
When a person is in a daze, he or she is in a bewildered and confused state.
The newcomer was in a daze because she won the grand prize.

dear, deer
Dear is a term of affection or respect.
My dear mother was a wonderful woman.
A deer is a mammal that if often hunted for its meat.
My husband like to go deer hunting every year.

dew, do, due
Dew is moisture that condenses from the atmosphere and is found coating the grass each morning.
The thirsty dog was licking the dew off of the grass.
When you do something, you perform it.
When are you going to do your homework?
When a bill is due, it needs to be paid.
The electric bill is due tomorrow.