Homonymy: Exploring Examples of Words with Multiple Meanings

Homonymy

Ever chat to your friend about baking bread, and you're both confused between needing some flour and kneading some flour because neither of you has provided further context? That's an example of homonymy, words with different meanings but pronounced and/or spelt the same. The definition of homonymy is rather broad, as it covers both the pronunciation and the spelling, which we will explain further with some examples and comparisons to other lexically ambiguous words!

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Flashcards in Homonymy 25

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True or false - Homonymy refers to 'words with different meanings that are neither pronounced nor spelt the same'?

False

What is a homograph?

A homograph is a word with different meanings but the same spelling.

What is a homophone?

A homophone is a word with different meanings but the same pronunciation.

True or false - Homograph is the broader term for homophone and homonymy.

False

Is the word rock a homonym, homograph, or homophone?

Homonym

Are flower and flour a pair of homonyms, homographs, or homophones?

Homophones

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Frequently Asked Questions about Homonymy

What is the definition of homonymy?

Homonymy is the term for words with different meanings but the same pronunciation (homophone) and / or spelling (homograph). Homonyms have multiple dictionary entries (eg as a verb and noun).

What are some examples of homonymy?

Some examples of homonymy are band (music band & rubber band), address (to address someone and details of where somebody lives), and rock (to move backwards and forwards and a stone).

What is the difference between polysemy and homonymy?

Polysemy refers to words with several related meanings but listed under one dictionary entry eg, mouse, wings, and beam. Homonymy refers to words with different meanings but the same pronunciation and / or spelling, eg, band, address, and rock. Homonyms have multiple dictionary entries.

What are the types of homonymy?

The types of homonymy are homophones and homographs.

What is the difference between homophones and homographs?

Homophones are words with different meanings but the same pronunciation, while homographs are words with different meanings and pronunciations but the same spelling.

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