Similar Sounds cryptic crossword clues - Solution for 14 April cryptic crossword clue

Othello spoke aloud with gaping mouth (3)

Solution – Maw

“spoke aloud” is an indication that the solution sounds like part of the clue but is not spelled the same.  Othello is the Shakespeare play about the Moor – and maw which is a gaping mouth sounds like moor (sort of, depending on your accent)

Similar sounds clues (which the experts call homophones) are clues based on or containing words which have different meanings but which sound the same like “know” and “no”.

So there are 3 parts to similar sounds clues.

The definition of the solution

The definition of the word that sounds like the solution

The indicator part of the clue that points to there being similar sounds words involved.

Common similar sounds indicator words include:

Announced	Aloud	Audible	Aurally
For the listener	Heard	In conversation	In speech
It is said	On the radio	Overheard	Pronounced
Reported	Said	Sound	They say
Vocal	Voiced	We hear