dew, due, do

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

The answer is simple: dew, due, do are homophones of the English language.

dew
  1. :: noun

    Water droplets condensed from the air, usually at night, onto cool surfaces.

  2. :: noun

    Something moist, fresh, pure, or renewing: "The timely dew of sleep/. . . inclines/Our eye-lids” ( John Milton).

  3. :: noun

    Moisture, as in the form of tears or perspiration, that appears in small drops.

  4. :: verb-transitive

    To wet with or as if with dew.

do
  1. :: verb-transitive

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

  2. :: verb-transitive

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

  3. :: verb-transitive

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

  4. :: verb-transitive

    To produce, especially by creative effort: do a play on Broadway.

due
  1. :: adjective

    Payable immediately or on demand.

  2. :: adjective

    Owed as a debt; owing: the amount still due.

  3. :: adjective

    In accord with right, convention, or courtesy; appropriate: due esteem; all due respect.

  4. :: adjective

    Meeting special requirements; sufficient: We have due cause to honor them.

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").