for, fore, four

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

The answer is simple: for, fore, four are homophones of the English language.

for
  1. :: preposition

    Used to indicate the object, aim, or purpose of an action or activity: trained for the ministry; put the house up for sale; plans to run for senator.

  2. :: preposition

    Used to indicate a destination: headed off for town.

  3. :: preposition

    Used to indicate the object of a desire, intention, or perception: had a nose for news; eager for success.

  4. :: preposition

    Used to indicate the recipient or beneficiary of an action: prepared lunch for us.

fore
  1. :: noun

    The front part.

  2. :: noun

    Something that is located at or toward the front.

  3. :: adjective

    Located at or toward the front; forward.

  4. :: adjective

    Earlier in order of occurrence; former.

four
  1. :: noun

    The cardinal number equal to 3 + 1.

  2. :: noun

    The fourth in a set or sequence.

  3. :: noun

    Something having four parts, units, or members, such as a musical quartet or a four-cylinder engine.

  4. :: idiom

    all fours All four limbs of an animal or person: a baby crawling on all fours.

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").