Homophone clues

The answer sounds like another word or phrase in the clue.

Homophone clues rely on sound. One part of the clue is a word that sounds like the answer, and an indicator makes clear you should be listening rather than reading.

Accents matter. UK setters usually assume southern British pronunciation, so some homophones that work in London won't work in Boston, and vice versa.

Examples

You, we hear, are a sheep (3)

EWE: EWE sounds like 'you' ('we hear'), and is defined by 'sheep'.

Reported downpour for a monarch's time (5)

REIGN: 'Reported' says sound it out: RAIN (downpour) sounds like REIGN, a monarch's time on the throne.

Common indicators

we hear
they say
reportedly
on the radio
broadcast
aloud
said
spoken
by the sound of it
to the audience
in conversation
overheard
for the listener

See indicators for every clue type

Solving tips

Decide which end is the definition; the homophone indicator usually sits next to the word you have to say aloud.

Stuck on one? Try it in the solver