can't, cant

The words can't, cant sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Why do can't, cant sound the same even though they are completely different words?

The answer is simple: can't, cant are homophones of the English language.

can't
  1. :: noun-possessive

    Contraction of cannot.

cant
  1. :: noun

    Angular deviation from a vertical or horizontal plane or surface; an inclination or slope.

  2. :: noun

    A slanted or oblique surface.

  3. :: noun

    A thrust or motion that tilts something.

  4. :: noun

    The tilt caused by such a thrust or motion.

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").