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Homonym: meaning, definitions and examples

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homonym

 

[ หˆhษ’m.ษ™.nษชm ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

language term

A homonym is a word that is pronounced the same as another word but has a different meaning, and may be spelled differently. Homonyms can create confusion in language, especially in writing, where the context is needed to determine which meaning is intended.

Synonyms

homograph, homophone, polyseme

Examples of usage

  • The word 'bat' can refer to a flying mammal or a piece of sports equipment.
  • The term 'lead' can mean to guide or a type of metal.
  • In the sentence, 'I saw her duck', the word 'duck' can refer to either the bird or the action of lowering one's head.
  • Homonyms like 'rose' (the flower) and 'rose' (the past tense of rise) often require context.

Translations

Translations of the word "homonym" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น homรณnimo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเคฎเคตเคฐเฅเคฃเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Homonym

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ homonim

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะพะผะพะฝั–ะผ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ homonim

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅŒ้Ÿณ็•ฐ็พฉ่ชž

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท homonyme

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ homรณnimo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท eลŸses

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋™์Œ์ด์˜์–ด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุชุฑุงุฏู ุตูˆุชูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ homonym

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ homonym

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅŒ้Ÿณๅผ‚ไน‰่ฏ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ homonim

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hรณmรณn

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะพะผะพะฝะธะผ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฐแƒแƒ›แƒแƒœแƒ˜แƒ›แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ homonim

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ homรณnimo

Word origin

The word 'homonym' derives from the Greek roots 'homo-', meaning 'same', and 'onym', meaning 'name'. The concept has been used in language studies to explain how words can sound alike while having different meanings. The use of homonyms can be traced back to ancient languages, where puns and wordplay were common. In English, the awareness of homonyms increased particularly during the Middle Ages when the development of poetry and plays relied heavily on wordplay for comedic effect. The study of homonyms is an integral part of linguistics, illustrating the complexities and richness of language. The term gained prominence in the 19th century as linguists began to categorize different types of similar-sounding words more systematically. Today, homonyms are not only a point of study in linguistics but also serve as a playful element in literature, advertising, and everyday conversation.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,373 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.