Homonym: meaning, definitions and examples
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homonym
[ หhษm.ษ.nษชm ]
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:
๐ต๐น homรณnimo
๐ฎ๐ณ เคธเคฎเคตเคฐเฅเคฃเฅ
๐ฉ๐ช Homonym
๐ฎ๐ฉ homonim
๐บ๐ฆ ะพะผะพะฝัะผ
๐ต๐ฑ homonim
๐ฏ๐ต ๅ้ณ็ฐ็พฉ่ช
๐ซ๐ท homonyme
๐ช๐ธ homรณnimo
๐น๐ท eลses
๐ฐ๐ท ๋์์ด์์ด
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ุชุฑุงุฏู ุตูุชู
๐จ๐ฟ homonym
๐ธ๐ฐ homonym
๐จ๐ณ ๅ้ณๅผไน่ฏ
๐ธ๐ฎ homonim
๐ฎ๐ธ hรณmรณn
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะพะผะพะฝะธะผ
๐ฌ๐ช แฐแแแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ homonim
๐ฒ๐ฝ homรณnimo
Etymology
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.
- ...
- 34370 knurled
- 34371 bullhead
- 34372 taciturnity
- 34373 homonym
- 34374 dimpling
- 34375 dovetailing
- 34376 expunging
- ...