know, no

The words know, no sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Why do know, no sound the same even though they are completely different words?

The answer is simple: know, no are homophones of the English language.

know
  1. :: verb-transitive

    To perceive directly; grasp in the mind with clarity or certainty.

  2. :: verb-transitive

    To regard as true beyond doubt: I know she won't fail.

  3. :: verb-transitive

    To have a practical understanding of, as through experience; be skilled in: knows how to cook.

  4. :: verb-transitive

    To have fixed in the mind: knows her Latin verbs.

no
  1. :: adverb

    Used to express refusal, denial, disbelief, emphasis, or disagreement: No, I'm not going. No, you're wrong.

  2. :: adverb

    Not at all; not by any degree. Often used with the comparative: no better; no more.

  3. :: adverb

    Not: whether or no.

  4. :: noun

    A negative response; a denial or refusal: The proposal produced only noes.

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").