auricle, oracle

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

The answer is simple: auricle, oracle are homophones of the English language.

auricle
  1. :: noun

    Anatomy The outer projecting portion of the ear. Also called pinna.

  2. :: noun

    Anatomy See atrium.

  3. :: noun

    Biology An earlobe-shaped part, process, or appendage, especially at the base of an organ.

oracle
  1. :: noun

    In the Bible, the sanctuary of the Temple.

  2. :: noun

    A shrine consecrated to the worship and consultation of a prophetic deity, as that of Apollo at Delphi.

  3. :: noun

    A person, such as a priestess, through whom a deity is held to respond when consulted.

  4. :: noun

    The response given through such a medium, often in the form of an enigmatic statement or allegory.

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").