homophony

C2 Topic:Language & Linguistics

US /həˈmɑfəni/ UK /həˈmɒfəni/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

noun
the relation or quality of words having the same pronunciation but different meanings or origins

Mnemic homophony combines several similar memory images into one generalized pattern.
2

noun
a musical texture in which one melodic line predominates over accompanying parts

The hymn's homophony lets the congregation sing the melody together.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the relation or quality of... same-sound relationhomophonousness

2 noun · a musical texture in which... chordal texture

Opposites

polyphonyheterophony

Word family

Forms homophonic

Derived forms homophonichomophonically

Related forms homophonehomophonouspolyphony

Etymology

From French homophonie and Ancient Greek homophonia ("unison, agreement of sound"), from homos ("same") + phone ("voice, sound"). The linguistic and musical senses both retain the idea of sounding together or alike.

Topics

Language & Linguistics Music Theory Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# homophony

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /həˈmɑfəni/
**IPA (UK):** /həˈmɒfəni/

## Meanings
1. the relation or quality of words having the same pronunciation but different meanings or origins
2. a musical texture in which one melodic line predominates over accompanying parts

## Examples
- Mnemic homophony combines several similar memory images into one generalized pattern.
- The hymn's homophony lets the congregation sing the melody together.

## Synonyms
- same-sound relation
- chordal texture

## Antonyms
- polyphony
- heterophony

## Derived Forms
- homophonic
- homophonically

## Related Forms
- homophone
- homophonous
- polyphony

## Etymology
From French homophonie and Ancient Greek homophonia ("unison, agreement of sound"), from homos ("same") + phone ("voice, sound"). The linguistic and musical senses both retain the idea of sounding together or alike.

## Topics
- Language & Linguistics
- Music Theory
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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