why'd, wide

The words why'd, wide sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Why do why'd, wide sound the same even though they are completely different words?

The answer is simple: why'd, wide are homophones of the English language.

why'd
  1. :: phrase

    Shortened form of why did.

  2. :: phrase

    Shortened form of why had.

  3. :: phrase

    Shortened form of why would.

wide
  1. :: adjective

    Having a specified extent from side to side: a ribbon two inches wide.

  2. :: adjective

    Extending over a great distance from side to side; broad: a wide road; a wide necktie.

  3. :: adjective

    Having great extent or range; including much or many: a wide selection; granting wide powers; wide variations.

  4. :: adjective

    Fully open or extended: look with wide eyes.

Definitions from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License, 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").