Worldplay wonderland
Waist or waste? 10 words that sound the same but are clearly not
Published on June 4, 2025
Credit: Edho Pratama
Naturally, words that are pronounced or spelled the same but have different meanings are fun. They are called homophones and homonyms, respectively. But if you’re paying much attention to a certain conversation, they have the power to create quite a confusion, and who knows where that talk might end? To avoid these kinds of misunderstandings, check these 10 words that share a pronunciation, but come from different places.
Lose your waist, watch your waste
Credit: Possessed Photography
Waist and waste are pronounced the same, which makes them homophones. However, the meaning is quite different and so are their origins. Let’s see how they go.
The word "waist" refers to the part of your body just below your ribs, where your pants sit comfortably, or not so comfortably after a big meal! On the other hand, "waste" is a synonym for squander, like when you leave food on your plate. But it can also refer to an ineffective use of your time, like watching TV all afternoon.
Interestingly, "waist" comes from the Old English word wæst, meaning "growth", while "waste" has Latin roots in vastare, meaning "unoccupied" or "uncultivated". So, next time you’re adjusting your waistband, don't waste the opportunity to show off your vocabulary!
Stare at the stairs going down
Credit: Nicolas Hoizey
Have you ever tripped up the stairs because you were too busy catching someone’s stare?
While "stair" refers to a step, typically one in a series, helping you get to the next floor of your house, "stare" is a way of looking at someone, an intense way of looking at someone, to be precise! For example, the kind of look you give your friend when they share too much information!
Although they sound the same, "stair" comes from the Old English stǣger, while "stare" has roots in Old Norse stara, meaning to "gaze steadily." Never mind this, just be careful where you’re looking, or you might miss a step!
Planes are never plain
Credit: Alicia Steels
Whether you’re flying on a plane or enjoying the view of a plain, these words sound the same but mean completely different things.
You know, a plane can either be the flat surface of something (like geometry class) or a flying machine. Meanwhile, a plain refers to a large area of flat land, or something that’s simple or unadorned, like your favorite plain T-shirt.
Now, similar pronunciation is also a trait of their root words: On the one hand, "plain" comes from the Latin planus, which means "flat" or "even". On the other hand, "plane" comes from planum, referring to a "level surface."
Loan me a lone word
Credit: Noah Silliman
No matter how much of a lone you are, there’ll always be someone to loan you something, right?
"Lone," however obsolete, means solitary, like when you’re the only person at the park bench on a peaceful afternoon. "Loan," instead, means to lend something, like a book, money, or even a spare jacket on a cold day; you could never go wrong with that move!
Now, as for the etymology behind these homophones, "lone" derives from the Old English word all ane which ultimately derived into "lone," a short for "alone." Meanwhile, "loan" is rooted in an Old English root that didn’t survive: læn, which meant "gift." Mind you, a loan is not a gif, so be careful with that!
Do horses make hoarse noises?
Credit: Soledad Lorieto
We don’t know about that, but let’s get into these homophones. If you’re hoarse, your voice is scratchy and raspy, probably from shouting too much at the latest NFL game, right? Did we get you there? Anyway, as for its homophone, a horse is an animal you can ride to enjoy a nice trot.
Now, if they sound similar, are their origins so? No, they aren’t. "Hoarse" comes from Old English hās, which means "rough," while "horse" has roots in the Proto-Germanic harss, which also meant "swift running animal." Next time you’re cheering yourself hoarse while watching a horse race, you can appreciate this fun coincidence of language.
Heal your heel way to happy feet
Credit: 🇸🇮 Janko Ferlič
The worst kinds of homophones and homonyms are the ones you can actually use in a logical sentence a confuse your audience for the same price! This is one of those cases.
Your heel is the back part of your foot, the part that takes the brunt of every step. Meanwhile, healing refers to the process of recovery, whether it’s a wound, a sprain, or just an emotional crisis.
Both words sound the same but have distinct origins: heel comes from Old English hēla, while heal comes from hǣlan, meaning "to make whole." So if you’ve got a sore heel, take it easy and let it heal!
Grease the wheels and make it to Greece
Credit: JUNHYUNG PARK
It’s easy to confuse grease and Greece, especially when you’re frying some bacon while thinking of a Mediterranean getaway.
While "grease" refers to animal fat or any oily substance used to make things run smoothly, Greece is the country famous for its ancient history, delicious cuisine, and stunning islands we all wish we could visit right now.
These two words have different origins anyway. Grease comes from the Latin crassus, meaning "fat," and the Old French gresse, which means the same. At the same time, Greece derives from the Latin Graecia, a reference to the ancient Greek people. What do they have in common? A trip to Greece or greasy wheels will keep you moving!
Go Forth and Be the Fourth!
Credit: Adrian Curiel
It doesn’t matter if you’re in the first, second, third, or fourth position; you have to take a step forth and keep moving!
"Forth" means to move forward, often with purpose, while "fourth" refers to the number four in a sequence. But what about their origin? Are they as close as their spelling?
"Forth" has roots in Old English forð, meaning "forward," while "fourth" simply comes from the Old English feorða, the word for the number four. So whether you’re stepping forth into a new adventure or celebrating a fourth-place win, you’re always on the right track.
Flee the fleas!
Credit: Mitchell Orr
Just a one-letter difference, and different meanings too, but we can say that one is a consequence of the other!
A flea is a tiny, jumping insect known for its itchy bites, while "flee" is what you’ll want to do if you come across one of those insects, run away! "Flea" means, usually, to avoid something unpleasant (like a flea infestation!)
Contrary to the others, some etymologists suggest they may come from the same word. "Flea" comes from Old English flēa, but it may also come from the same root as "flee,"which is flēon, "to escape." Curious, right? If you ever find yourself dealing with fleas, just remember: it’s perfectly reasonable to flee from those little pests! They are doing that themselves!
Won’t get much dough from a doe
Credit: Carl Flor
To end this article, let’s tackle "doe" and "dough," two words that have a common pronunciation but are spelled in different ways.
A "doe" is a female deer, soft and graceful, while "dough" is what you work with before it turns into bread.
Pronunciation is the only thing they share, since their origins are also different. The word "doe" comes from the Old English dā, which means exactly what it is, "female deer,". On the other hand, "dough" comes from dāg, which means "kneaded mass." Funny how two very similar words can mean different things, and come from completely different places. That’s the fun behind our language!
