apps, apse

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

The answer is simple: apps, apse are homophones of the English language.

apps
  1. :: noun

    Plural form of app.

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  1. :: noun

    Astronomy An apsis.

  2. :: noun

    Architecture A usually semicircular or polygonal, often vaulted recess, especially the termination of the sanctuary end of a church.

Definitions from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License, 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").