homophonic

Two words or names that sound the same are homophonic. For example, the words threw and through are homophonic. Surprisingly, the Irish surnames Maher, Marr, and Meagher are also homophonic when pronounced the Irish way — all three sound like mar!

Homophonic has another meaning in music. It describes a piece that has a single main melody line, with or without accompaniment by other voices or instruments. This is in contrast to polyphonic music, which has more than one melody line of equal importance. Homophonic ultimately comes from the Greek roots homo-, meaning "the same," and phonos, "sound."

Definitions of homophonic

1. adjective

   having the same sound
   synonyms:

   same

   closely similar or comparable in kind or quality or quantity or degree
2. adjective

   having a single melodic line with accompaniment
   synonyms:

   monophonic

   consisting of a single melodic line