Homonym

A homonym is a word that shares the same spelling and pronunciation as another word but has a different meaning. The word's origin comes from the Greek words 'homos' (same) and 'onoma' (name). Homonyms can create humor, ambiguity, and wordplay. They are distinct from homophones (words that sound alike but are spelled differently) and homographs (words spelled alike but can have different pronunciations and meanings). The understanding of context is crucial when deciphering the intended meaning of a homonym in any given sentence.

Homonym meaning with examples

• 1. **Bat:** A nocturnal flying mammal (noun). The baseball player used his **bat** to hit the ball (noun). 2. **Right:** Correct or proper (adjective). Take a **right** turn at the corner (noun - a direction). 3. **Bank:** The side of a river (noun). I went to the **bank** to withdraw some money (noun - a financial institution). 4. **Fair:** An event to showcase products (noun). The judge deemed a fair outcome (adjective).
• 1. **Date:** I had a romantic **date** last night (noun). Can you please **date** this document? (verb). 2. **Fine:** A monetary penalty (noun). The artist created a **fine** piece of art (adjective). 3. **Present:** This is a great **present** (noun). Please **present** your findings (verb). 4. **Mean:** The average result in a data set (noun). That was a **mean** thing to do (adjective).
• 1. **Bark:** The dog's loud **bark** (noun). Don't **bark** the dog! (verb). 2. **Blue:** I have a **blue** car (adjective). I felt **blue** today (adjective - sad). 3. **Light:** The **light** in the room is bright (noun). Can you **light** the candle? (verb). 4. **Rose:** The **rose** is a beautiful flower (noun). She **rose** early that morning (verb).
• 1. **Ring:** I gave her a wedding **ring** (noun). Please **ring** the bell (verb). 2. **Watch:** I put on my **watch** (noun). I like to **watch** television (verb). 3. **Well:** I feel **well** today (adjective). The water comes from a **well** (noun). 4. **Kind:** He is a very **kind** person (adjective). What **kind** of music is that? (noun).