What Are Homonyms?
– Meaning and Definition
The word ‘homonym’ was derived from the Greek word “homonymos”, which means
having the same name. In simple terms, homonyms are those words that have the
same spelling or pronunciation but completely different meanings and functions.
Homonyms, therefore, can be said to include both homophones and homographs.
According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, a homonym is defined as “a word that is
spelt like another word (or pronounced like it), but that has a different meaning.” For
example, “The children played with a bat.” Here, ‘bat’ refers to the sports equipment used
to play cricket. Whereas “The bats feast on the nectar of flowers.” Here, ‘bats’ refers to a
type of animal that generally comes out at night.
Homonym Part of Meaning Sentence Example
Speech
Bear Noun A large, wild animal They saw a black bear.
Verb Being able to accept and deal You will have to bear the pain.
with something
Noun A game Do you know which team won the match?
Noun A small stick used to start a fire I used a match to light up the stove.
Verb To find something that is My mom was looking for a lining material
suitable that matches the pastel-coloured saree she
bought recently.
Noun A jewel that you wear on your My father bought me a diamond ring
finger
Noun A round object I used a ring to make a dreamcatcher.
Verb To call someone Manu will ring you in some time.
Noun A group of people with similar We are one of a kind.
characteristics
Adjective Being good, generous, helpful Beena is very kind.
Noun Something untrue I think she is telling a lie.
Verb To quote something untrue My mom does not lie.
Verb To rest He is lying on the bed.
Noun The name and number of a Sherly gave her address so that we would not
building, the location of a lose our way.
building
Verb To write or speak to someone Today, Susan will be addressing the first-year
students.
Homograph
A homograph is one of two or more words that are spelled the same but
have different meanings. Sometimes they have the same pronunciation
too, but that's not always the case.
1. Attribute (characteristic) or attribute (credit someone or something)
2. Bass (fish) or bass (drum)
3. Bow (weapon) or bow (down)
4. Close (near) or close (to shut)
5. Console (comfort) or console (video game unit)
6. Content (satisfied) or content (various media)
7. Lead (front) or lead (mineral)
8. Minute (small) or minute (measurement of time)
9. Object (thing) or object (argue)
Homophone
Homophones are two or more words that share the same pronunciation, but which have
different spellings or meanings. For example, the words ‘hear’ and ‘here’ are
homophones because they mean completely different things, even though they sound
similar. In some cases, homophones have the same spelling.
1. There vs Their vs They're
2. To vs Too vs Two
3. Bough vs Bow
4. Sell vs Cell
5. Hear vs Here
6. Sea vs See
7. Bear vs Bare
8. Flower vs Flour
9. Ate vs Eight
