cymbals (noun)/ˈsɪmbəlz/ — A concave plate of brass or bronze that produces a sharp, ringing sound when struck: played either in pairs, by striking them together, or singly by striking with a drumstick or the like.
symbols sounds exactly like cymbals but has a different meaning and spelling. Mixing these up is one of the most common spelling mistakes in English.
cymbals
noun
A concave plate of brass or bronze that produces a sharp, ringing sound when struck: played either in pairs, by striking them together, or singly by striking with a drumstick or the like.
symbols
noun
A character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object.
Full definition →How to Remember the Difference
- → Focus on meaning first — once you know what each word means, the correct spelling follows naturally.
- → Write a test sentence for each word and save it as a reference.
- → When in doubt, look up the definition — if it doesn't match your sentence, switch to the homophone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a homophone of cymbals?
symbols is a homophone of "cymbals". They sound identical when spoken but have different meanings and spellings.
What is the difference between cymbals and symbols?
"cymbals" means: A concave plate of brass or bronze that produces a sharp, ringing sound when struck: played either in pairs, by striking them together, or singly by striking with a drumstick or the like.. "symbols" means: A character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object.. They sound the same but are used in completely different contexts.
What is a homophone?
A homophone is a word that sounds exactly like another word but has a different meaning and often a different spelling. Examples include "their / there / they're", "to / too / two", and "cymbals / symbols". Homophones are a common source of spelling and grammar mistakes.
How do I remember the difference between cymbals and symbols?
A good strategy is to memorize a short sentence that uses each word correctly, then recall that sentence when you are unsure. For example, focus on the meaning first — then let the spelling follow from context. Reading and writing regularly also helps these distinctions become automatic.