Clue Type
Homophone Clues
A homophone clue uses a word that sounds like the answer when spoken aloud. The indicator signals that the solver should think about pronunciation rather than spelling, and the clue contains a word whose sound matches the answer.
How to identify homophone clues
Homophone indicators reference hearing or speaking: 'sounds like', 'heard', 'spoken', 'say', 'aloud', 'on the radio', or 'reportedly'. When you see one of these, think about how nearby words sound.
Common indicators
sounds likeheardspokensaysaidaloudaudiblyvocallyorallyreportedlyon the radiowe hearthey say
Practice tips
1Say the clue words out loud — homophones are easier to spot when spoken.
2The homophone might be a synonym of a clue word, not the clue word itself.
3Some homophones depend on regional pronunciation — consider British English conventions.
4The definition is at the opposite end from the homophone indicator.