Pair, Pear, and Pare

Pair can be a noun meaning "two of something" (I have a pair of aces) or a verb meaning "put two things together" (I will pair you with Joe for this dance).

Pear refers to a fruit.

"Pare" is a verb meaning "to cut off the skin or outer parts."  A paring knife has a short, sharp blade and can be used for peeling fruit.

"Au pair" is a noun describing a foreign national working as a domestic helper.