English Homophones

English (especially British English) is not spelt phonetically. Two words can share none, any or all of Spelling, Pronunciation and Meaning. All languages have synonyms (words with unrelated spelling and pronunciation but the same meaning) and words with multiple meanings. However English has an exceptional disparity between spelling and pronunciation.

 The possible combinations or some but all characteristics being the same are as follows:-
 
SpellingPronunciationMeaningClassificationExample
SameDifferentDifferentHomonymrefuse
DifferentSameDifferentHomophoneSee below
SameSameDifferentMultiple meaningstrap
DifferentDifferentSameSynonymrare/uncommon
SameDifferentSameAlternative pronuncationSchedule (British/American pronuncation)
DifferentSameSameAlternative spellingjail/gaol

This page is about homophones. Words with different meanings and spellings, but the same (UK) pronunciation. 

My collection

With the generous help of various contributors, I have now collected 441 homophones.  This is 396 pairs, 40 triples and 5 quadruples.  That is 546 pairs of homophone words.

Near misses

These are word pairs that have been suggested but rejection, for one of the following reasons:-

Unsure

Alleged homophones that aren't in my dictionary.  As such I am either uncertain of pronunciation, spelling or even existence of the word, so cannot include in the confirmed list. 
WordHomophone(s)Comment
wetherweather, whetherI am told this is a type of sheep.
basinetbassinet?A musical instrument?
heleheal,heal?Song, from the German?
how'llhowlNot really establisted enough to count
leiderleader?Song, from the German?
luneloonThe moon (if so fails as a proper noun)
meermere
rayedraid
sicesyce
sorelsorrel
velumvellum
wyrdweird

I would very much like to hear of any other example that I have missed. If you can think of one, please e-mail me.  Many thanks to those who already have done so.