mach, mock

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

The answer is simple: mach, mock are homophones of the English language.

mach
  1. :: noun

    Mach number.

  2. ::

    Mach, Ernst 1838-1916. Austrian physicist and philosopher who played a central role in the development of logical positivism. His works include the influential Science of Mathematics (1883).

mock
  1. :: noun

    An object of scorn or derision.

  2. :: verb-transitive

    To treat with ridicule or contempt; deride.

  3. :: verb-transitive

    To mimic, as in sport or derision. See Synonyms at ridicule.

  4. :: verb-transitive

    To imitate; counterfeit.

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").