Sound-alike words

Sole vs. Soul

Sole means only or single, as in the sole owner. It is also the bottom of a foot or shoe, or a flat fish. Soul is a person's inner self, the deep part that feels, and also a style of music.

Word	Part of speech	Meaning
sole	adjective	only; being the one and only person or thing
sole	noun	the bottom surface of a foot or shoe; also a kind of flat ocean fish
soul	noun	the inner self of a person, including feelings and character; also a person, as in not a soul
soul	noun	a style of American popular music known for strong, emotional singing

Sole

adjective: only; being the one and only person or thing

Mei is the sole owner of the bakery.
The sole purpose of the meeting was to pick a date.

noun: the bottom surface of a foot or shoe; also a kind of flat ocean fish

The sole of my left boot is starting to peel off.
We ordered grilled sole with lemon and rice.

Soul

noun: the inner self of a person, including feelings and character; also a person, as in not a soul

There wasn't a soul on the beach at sunrise.
The old diner is the soul of this small town.

noun: a style of American popular music known for strong, emotional singing

My dad plays old soul records on Sunday mornings.
She has a voice made for soul and jazz.

How to remember the difference

Soul has a U, as in the real yoU inside. Sole has no U: it is about the one and only, or the bottom of your shoe.

Good to know

Soul mate, soul food, soul-searching and heart and soul all use soul. Sole in sole responsibility or sole source means only, not whole.

Spot the mistake

She is the ~~soul~~ sole reason we finished the project on time.
Correct: She is the sole reason we finished the project on time.
He put his heart and ~~sole~~ soul into that garden.
Correct: He put his heart and soul into that garden.

Check yourself

Pick the word that fits each sentence.

1. Rain soaked through the worn of my sneaker.

2. The singer poured her heart and into the last song.