In the English language, there exist several types of words. These words are differentiated based on various parameters.
These parameters include figures of speech like verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, nouns, etc. Other than that, several types of words are classified based on their pronunciation.
Some words are pronounced in the same manner but have multiple meanings. These types of comments are known as homophones.
One of the most prominent examples of homophones is seen between the words 1. Sole and 2. Soul.
Key Takeaways
- “Sole” refers to the bottom part of a shoe or foot or can signify a type of flatfish.
- “Soul” denotes a person’s spiritual or immaterial part or the essence of a thing.
- The two words are homophones, meaning they sound alike but have different meanings and spellings.
Sole vs Soul
The difference between sole and soul is their meanings. There are multiple meanings of the word sole, like only solitary, a random thing belonging to a single person and something that is not shared, the surface of the foot of a living being, the component of a shoe placed below the feet, etc. On the other hand, the meaning of the word soul is the component of a human being that is highly spiritual and remains even after the human being is dead or the thoughts and attributes present deep down in a person’s mind.
The word sole has multiple meanings. The word’s first meaning is only solitary, which is an adjective.
The second meaning of the word is surface of the foot present below, the component of a shoe that is situated beneath the feet, which is a noun. The word is used by adding a suffix to it, which is “soleness”.
The meaning of the word soul is the spiritual element present in a person that is believed to stay even after the person’s death is known as the soul. Other than that, a soul is an element inside a person with profound thoughts and beliefs.
Many people do not believe in this concept, while others do.
Comparison Table
| Parameters Of Comparison | Sole | Soul |
|---|---|---|
| Meanings | 1. Only, solitary 2. The surface of the foot. 3. The element of a shoe placed beneath the foot. | Only single, solitary, lone |
| Used as | Noun, verb, adjective | Noun, adjective |
| Spelling | Sole | Soul |
| Synonyms | Only, single, solitary, lone | Embodiment, emotion, passion, incarnation, essence |
| Antonyms | United, shared, together, mixed, general | Fear, discouragement, cowardice, thing |
What is Sole?
The meaning of the word sole as a noun is a surface that is present beneath the foot. It also has another meaning as a noun, which is an element of a shoe that is situated below the foot of the wearer.
Other than that, it also has different meanings where it is used as an adjective. The word sole as an adjective is used when it means solitary or only.
For instance, if a person has a deep interest in book reading and they don’t have an interest in any other activities, then one can interpret that that person has a sole interest in book reading. The word sole is used in the business world as well.
There is a term called sole proprietorship, which means a business that can be owned by a particular company, organization, person or by a partnership that has limited liability.
The status of this kind of business can be expressed in legal terms as a non-separate entity that is legalized by the business owner. There exists a fish called the sole fish.
It is a kind of flatfish that is eaten mainly in the coastal areas of the continent of Europe. The structure of this fish is lean and flat.
There are several other types of sole flatfish as well.
Hence, there are multiple meanings of the word sole. It is used as an adjective, noun and verb.
What is the Soul?
The word soul has primarily two meanings. The first meaning is the spiritual part of a human being that does not diminish even after their death.
The word’s second meaning is the purest thoughts and feelings that a person has deep down in their mind. Many religions and cultures have several interpretations of the word soul.
It is considered the true essence of a human being. What a human being is is truly defined and understood by learning more about the individual profoundly. Many other interpretations include the soul is a set of a person’s other elements too.
Many religious interpretations entail a soul is a collection of several mental abilities and emotions like the individual’s characteristics, true nature, perspective, recollection, mentality, reason, conduct, integrity, etc.
Some explanations also suggest that a soul can be mortal or immortal.
Several synonyms of the word soul include warmth, energy, spirit, commitment, incarnation, embodiment, personification, symbol, model, creature, body, human being, man, woman, living being, creature, etc.
Hence, the word “soul” is also used as an adjective and noun.
Main Differences Between Sole and Soul
- The word sole has more meanings. On the other hand, the word soul has fewer meanings.
- The word sole has multiple meanings that are entirely different from one another. On the other hand, the word soul has multiple meanings that are slightly similar to one another.
- The word sole has meanings like 1. Only solitary 2. A type of fish 3. The surface is present below the feet 4. The element of a shoe is situated below the foot. On the other hand, the word soul has meanings like 1. The true essence of a human being 2. The spiritual part of a person is immortal.
- The word sole is in many forms: noun, adjective, and verb. On the other hand, the word soul is in forms like nouns and adjectives.
- The word sole has synonyms like solitary, lone, etc. On the other hand, the word soul has synonyms like personification, embodiment, etc.
- https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1969-12277-001
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-015-9161-4_4
Last Updated : 31 August, 2023
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Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
