HomonymsHomonyms

What is a homonymWhat is a homonym

A HOMONYM is a word that has the same pronunciation or spelling (or both) as another word, but a different meaning

QuestionQuestion

What are the two types of Homonyms?

Homonyms can be broken into Homonyms can be broken into two categories:two categories:

Homophones – words that are pronounced the same (and may or may not be spelled the same), but differ in meaning, such as waste and waist. Homographs – words that are spelled the same (and may or may not be pronounced the same), but differ in meaning, such as desert (abandon) and desert (arid region).

These words will not be These words will not be detected by spell check so it is detected by spell check so it is very important not to be very important not to be confused.confused.

Examples:accept: to accept is to receive, admit

or take on responsibilityI accept responsibility for the car accident.

except: usually a preposition meaning other than or a conjunction meaning if it weren't for the fact thatI have every card except the ace of spades.

affect: usually a verb meaning to have an influence on, to bring about a changeEating too much can affect your weight.

effect: usually a noun meaning resultThe effect of the frost will be higher fruit prices.

advice: a noun meaning an opinion about an actionThe pediatrician gave advice on how to bathe infants.

advise: a verb meaning to offer advice or recommendI would advise you not to speed at night.

forth: an adverb meaning forward in time, place or orderWe went forth with our plans to move.

fourth: follows thirdI was fourth in line.

its: shows possession, answers the question, "Whose?"Its gas tank was empty.

it's: contraction of it isIt's the third Sunday of the month.

lose: to misplace something How can you lose your wallet?

loose: not tight, to set freeWe let the dog loose during the day.

no: the negativeStaying home alone is no way to spend a Saturday night.

know: to possess knowledgeI know the entire alphabet.

new: not oldEvery summer I buy a new swimsuit.

knew: past tense of knowI knew the answer but did not raise my hand.

of: a preposition that links wordsThe lion is the king of beasts.

have: a verb meaning to possessThey have eight children.

there: (1) indicates direction: The dog is over there.(2) subject: There are five cookies left.

their: shows possession: That is their new home.

they're: contraction of they are: They're going to be late.

to: (1) preposition used to link words: Mary went to the library.(2) infinitive form of the verb: Bob likes to juggle.

too: (1) refers to quantity: I ate too much.(2) also: Sandy is going to the library, too.

two: the number two: We had two flowers to plant.

were: verb: The twins were tired.

where: direction or place: Where did I leave my glasses?

whose: shows possession: Whose dirty shoes are on the carpet?

who's: contraction of who is: Who's coming for supper?

your: shows possession: Those are your dirty shoes.

you're: contraction of you are: You're always late for supper.

Activity:Activity:Homonym Echoes: A Knights

Story

Study Homonyms on the computer