climb, clime

The words climb, clime sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Why do climb, clime sound the same even though they are completely different words?

The answer is simple: climb, clime are homophones of the English language.

climb
  1. :: verb-transitive

    To move upward on or mount, especially by using the hands and feet or the feet alone; ascend: climb a mountain; climbed the stairs.

  2. :: verb-transitive

    To grow in an upward direction on or over: ivy climbing the walls.

  3. :: verb-intransitive

    To move oneself upward, especially by using the hands and feet.

  4. :: verb-intransitive

    To rise slowly, steadily, or effortfully; ascend. See Synonyms at rise.

clime
  1. :: noun

    Climate: in search of warmer climes.

Definitions from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition and Wordnik.

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About Homophones

Homophones (literally "same sound") are usually defined as words that share the same pronunciation, regardless of how they are spelled.

If they are spelled the same then they are also homographs (and homonyms); if they are spelled differently then they are also heterographs (literally "different writing").