The English Language is replete with words like homonyms. They are words that have the same spelling and the same pronunciation, but their meanings are different. The majority of these words might engender immense potential for confusion to some people. Therefore, to remove some troubles and misunderstandings while dealing with homonyms, the following questions will be tackled in this article: what are homonyms? What are examples of homonyms? what are some homonyms words with meanings and sentences?
As previously stated, homonyms are chiefly words that are spelled and pronounced the same but are different in meanings. Here are some examples to make it clearer what these words are:
- arm (weapon) vs arm (hand)
- bank (of a river) vs bank (financial institution)
- kind (nice & caring) vs kind (type of something)
- fair (just) vs fair (entertainment)
- row (as a noun: meaning a line) vs row (as a verb: meaning propel a boat)
It should be noted that some homonyms have more than two meanings. Also, one of the homonyms might be less commonly used than the other, the fact that adds to the complexity of the topic.
In this article, you will discover a huge list of homonyms in English, together with some very useful example sentences of homonyms that will help clarify and overcome troubles and difficulties around this topic.
What Are Examples of Homonyms? Homonyms Words with Meanings
Homonym | Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 |
address | to speak to | place or location |
air | the gas surrounding the earth | the look, appearance, tune, or voice of a person |
arm | upper limb | a weapon |
band | a musical group | a ring |
bank | lake or river border | monetary institution |
bark | a tree’s out layer | the sound a dog makes |
bat | an implement used to hit a ball | a nocturnal flying mammal |
bear | heavy animal | to support something, to hold |
blaze | burning fire | white stripe down the center of the head of an animal |
book | written or printed papers | to reserve in advance |
bright | very smart or intelligent | filled with light |
can | be able to | a container |
circular | having the form of a circle | a leaflet |
clip | a device that grip or hook | cut the outer part of |
cool | not hot | very good |
current | up to date | flow of water |
date | the edible fruit of palm tree | time of an event |
duck | a type of birds | to lower quickly |
egg | to urge, to incite | shelled body produced by birds |
express | a fast version of something, a fast delivery | to show your thoughts by writing or talking |
fair | equitable, honest | pleasing to the eye |
fall | the season of autumn | go down quickly |
fan | device to produce cool air | an enthusiastic admirer of someone, or group |
file | to arrange | a device to keep papers in order |
fly | to move through the air with wings | an insect |
gift | a capacity or talent | something given voluntarily |
kind | a type of something | caring, gentle |
lie | to recline, to extend | to tell untrue statement |
match | to join or pair like items | a stick or cord for making a flame |
mean | average | not nice, lucking dignity |
nail | the upper end of a finger | a fastener to be pounded in |
palm | part of human hand | a tree |
point | a small mark | to direct attention |
pole | a long slender object | inside front position on the starting line of a race |
pound | unit of weight and mass | to beat, to strike |
pupil | the iris of the eye | a student |
put | to place, to lay | to cause to endure |
quarry | a site for mining stone | to extract, to dig, or take from |
rape | a criminal offense | a yellow crop |
ream | a quantity of paper | to press out the juice of a citrus fruit |
ring | a small metal worn on a finger | something circular in shape |
right | correct and to the point | direction opposite of left |
rock | a type of music | a stone |
rose | past tense of rise | a type of flower |
ruler | a small device used for measuring | a person that rules |
saw | past tense of see | a machine used to cut materials like wood |
scale | machine used for weighing | to throw, to shed scales |
ship | boat | to shoot |
sink | go to the bottom | a pool for the deposit of waste |
spring | a season | to make a leap |
stalk | a part of a plant | to follow or harass someone |
tender | gentle | offer of money |
tie | a necktie | to fasten, to join |
tire | to become worn out | a part of a wheel |
trip | a journey | to run, to sprint |
watch | to be attentive | a timepiece fashioned to be worn |
wave | to salute using motions with hands | a moving swell on the surface of sea |
well | in a proper manner, good health | a source for water or oil in the ground |
zest | enthusiasm and eagerness | a peel of a citrus fruit |
What are examples of homonyms? Common Homonyms Example Sentences List
Bear
- The load was too heavy for the wall to bear.
- The hunters trapped the bear in a large net
Blaze
- The supermarket was on fire, and the blaze could be seen for miles.
- The brown horse had a nice large blaze on its forehead.
Egg
- She had a hard-boiled egg for breakfast.
- He egged his sister on to steal the money.
Fair
- The weather was fair during the ceremony.
- Mother took her kids to the fair.
Fan
- The cat was sitting near the fan in order to keep cool.
- Her father is a great fan of Manchester United.
Incense
- James was incensed when he heard the bad news.
- A smell of incense filled the whole room.
Post
- His uncle worked in a post office all his life.
- The man hung his hat on a post fixed in the ground.
Pound
- She paid a pound for a pound of peas.
- The cook began to pound the mixture to a soft paste.
- The stray dogs were taken to the pound.
Pupil
- Mrtha was considered the most gifted pupil in her primary school.
- The pupil of his eye was dilated.
Rape
- In most countries, rape is considered a very serious crime.
- Rape is an old land measure in southern England.
- Rape is an invaluable crop in some parts of the world.
Zest
- This cake recipe requires the zest of three lemons.
- Sabine was depressed and lost her zest for life.
Related Questions
What is the Difference Between Homonyms and Homophones?
Now you have explored some examples of homonyms; homophones on the other hand are words that have the same pronunciation, but different spelling and different meanings. Examples of homophones are:
What is the Difference Between Homonyms and Homographs?
Homographs are mainly words that have the same spelling, but different pronunciations and meanings.
Note that:
Homonyms can be homophones, homographs, or both.
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