do, doe, dough

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

The answer is simple: do, doe, dough are homophones of the English language.

do
  1. :: verb-transitive

    To set or style (the hair).

  2. :: verb-transitive

    To perform or execute: do one's assigned task; do a series of business deals.

  3. :: verb-transitive

    To fulfill the requirements of: did my duty at all times.

  4. :: verb-transitive

    To carry out; commit: a crime that had been done on purpose.

doe
  1. :: noun

    The female of a deer or related animal.

  2. :: noun

    The female of various mammals, such as the hare, goat, or kangaroo.

dough
  1. :: noun

    A soft, thick mixture of dry ingredients, such as flour or meal, and liquid, such as water, that is kneaded, shaped, and baked, especially as bread or pastry.

  2. :: noun

    A pasty mass similar to this mixture.

  3. :: noun

    Slang Money.

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").