psi, scythe, sigh, xi

The words psi, scythe, sigh, xi sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Why do psi, scythe, sigh, xi sound the same even though they are completely different words?

The answer is simple: psi, scythe, sigh, xi are homophones of the English language.

psi
  1. :: noun

    Parapsychological phenomena or abilities considered as a group.

  2. :: abbreviation

    pounds per square inch

  3. :: noun

    The 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet.

  4. :: noun

    A Greek letter, <bt>Ψ</bt>, <bt>ψ</bt>. It belongs to the Ionic alphabet, and stands for <em>ps</em> or <em>phs.</em> The character may be a modification of <bt>Φ</bt>, <bt>φ</bt>.

scythe
  1. :: noun

    An implement consisting of a long, curved single-edged blade with a long bent handle, used for mowing or reaping.

  2. :: transitive verb

    To cut with or as if with a scythe.

  3. ::

    To make a curving movement like that of a scythe, in mowing.

  4. ::

    To mow; cut with a scythe, or as with a scythe.

sigh
  1. :: intransitive verb

  2. :: intransitive verb

    To exhale audibly in a long deep breath, as in weariness or relief.

  3. :: intransitive verb

    To emit a similar sound.

  4. :: intransitive verb

    To feel longing or grief; yearn.

xi
  1. :: noun

    The 14th letter of the Greek alphabet.

  2. :: noun

    The Greek letter <bt>Ξ</bt>, <bt>ξ</bt>, corresponding to the English <em>x</em> and <em>z.</em>

  3. :: noun

    The Greek letter <bt>Ξ</bt>, <bt>ξ</bt>, corresponding to the English <em>x.</em>

  4. :: noun

    The name for the 14th letter of <xref>Classical</xref> and <xref>Modern Greek</xref>. The 15th in <xref>Ancient</xref> and <xref>Old Greek</xref>.

Definitions from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition., from The Century Dictionary., from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. 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").