one, won

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

The answer is simple: one, won are homophones of the English language.

one
  1. :: adjective

    Being a single entity, unit, object, or living being.

  2. :: adjective

    Characterized by unity; undivided: They spoke with one voice.

  3. :: adjective

    Of the same kind or quality: two animals of one species.

  4. :: adjective

    Forming a single entity of two or more components: three chemicals combining into one solution.

won
  1. :: verb-intransitive

    Archaic To dwell or abide.

  2. :: noun

    See Table at currency.

  3. :: verb

    Past tense and past participle of win.

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").