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Homonyms | A Huge List of 160+ Homonyms for ESL Learners

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Homonyms are words that have the same spelling or pronunciation but different meanings. They can be a source of confusion for many people, especially those learning English as a second language. For example, the words “bear” and “bare” are homophones, meaning they have the same pronunciation but different meanings. “Bear” refers to the large carnivorous mammal while “bare” means uncovered or naked.

Understanding homonyms is important for effective communication and avoiding misunderstandings. Knowing the difference between homophones and homographs can help you use the correct word in the right context. In the following paragraphs, we will explore some common homonyms and provide examples to help you better understand their meanings and usage.

Homonyms

What are Homonyms?

Homonyms are words that have the same spelling and/or pronunciation but different meanings. They can be divided into two categories: homophones and homographs.

Homophones

Homophones are words that have the same pronunciation but different meanings. They can be tricky to differentiate in writing, but context can usually help you understand which word is being used. Here are some examples:

  • Flower and flour: The first is a plant, the second is a type of powder used for baking.
  • Totoo, and two: The first is a preposition, the second means “also” or “excessively,” and the third is the number 2.
  • Bear and bare: The first is a large mammal, the second means “naked” or “uncovered.”

Homographs

Homographs are words that have the same spelling but different meanings and pronunciations. These can be even more confusing than homophones, as the same word can be pronounced differently depending on the context. Here are some examples:

  • Bow: Can mean to bend forward, or a tied ribbon. Pronounced differently in each context.
  • Tear: Can mean to rip or a drop of water from the eye. Pronounced differently in each context.
  • Lead: Can mean to guide or a type of metal. Pronounced differently in each context.

It’s important to pay attention to the context when encountering homonyms in order to understand their intended meaning.

Types of Homonyms

Homonyms are words that sound or are spelled the same, but have different meanings. There are three types of homonyms: homographs, homophones, and homonyms in the English language.

Homographs

Homographs are words that are spelled the same but have different meanings. They can be pronounced differently or the same. For example, “tear” can mean a drop of water from the eye or to rip something apart. “Bass” can refer to a type of fish or a low, deep sound.

Here are some more examples of homographs:

Word Pronunciation Meaning
Bow boʊ A weapon used for shooting arrows
Bow baʊ To bend forward at the waist
Desert ˈdɛzərt A dry, sandy region
Desert dɪˈzɜrt To abandon or leave behind

Homophones

Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. For example, “flower” and “flour” sound the same but have different meanings. “Flower” refers to a plant with colorful petals, while “flour” is a powder made from grinding grains.

Here are some more examples of homophones:

  • “Their” and “there”
  • “Two” and “too”
  • “Meat” and “meet”

Homonyms in English Language

Using the broad definition in which any two words that share the same spelling or the same pronunciation are homonyms, it’s possible to define five types of homonym in the English language. These are capitonyms, heteronyms, homographs, homophones, and polysemes.

Here are some examples of homonyms:

  • “Lead” can mean to guide or a type of metal
  • “Bear” can mean to tolerate or a large, furry animal
  • “Bank” can mean the side of a river or a financial institution

In conclusion, homonyms can be tricky to navigate, but they add depth and complexity to the English language. By understanding the different types of homonyms, you can communicate more effectively and avoid confusion.

Examples of Homonyms

Homonyms are words that have the same spelling and pronunciation but different meanings. They can be confusing, but they can also be fun to learn about. Here are some common and less common examples of homonyms.

Common Homonyms

There are many homonyms that are commonly used in English. Here are some examples:

  • Bank: A financial institution where you can deposit or withdraw money, or the side of a river.
  • Bat: A flying mammal, or a piece of sports equipment used to hit a ball.
  • Match: A stick used to start a fire, or a game in which two teams compete against each other.
  • Rose: A type of flower, or the past tense of the verb “rise”.
  • Tear: A drop of water from your eye, or to rip something.
Related  Common Homophones: 120+ Most Important Homophones in English

Less Common Homonyms

There are also many homonyms that are less commonly used in English. Here are some examples:

  • Bow: A weapon used to shoot arrows, or a knot tied with a ribbon.
  • Cleat: A piece of metal or plastic used to keep shoes from slipping, or a metal wedge used to secure a rope.
  • Fluke: A part of a whale’s tail, or a lucky or unexpected event.
  • Hare: A fast-running mammal, or to draw or pull something.
  • Pole: A long, thin stick used to support something, or a measurement of length.

Homonyms can be used in many different ways in sentences. Here are some examples:

  • “I need to go to the bank to deposit my paycheck.”
  • “The baseball player swung the bat and hit the ball.”
  • “I lit a match to start the fire.”
  • “She gave me a rose for my birthday.”
  • “I accidentally tore my shirt when I caught it on a nail.”

Learning about homonyms can be challenging, but it can also be a lot of fun. Keep practicing and soon you’ll be able to use them with ease.

Here are more example sentences for the confusing words:

Here – Hear

  • Here – in this place: Please come here.
  • Hear – using your ears to listen: Do you hear that?

Capital – Capitol

  • Capital– This has a few different meanings. One means a big letter in the alphabet. (Example- ABC, not abc): Don’t forget that Chicago begins with a capital letter.
  • Capitol– The place where the government resides: The capitol of the United States is Washington, D.C.

They’re – Their – There

  • They’re– they + are: They’re from Canada.
  • Their – something belongs to “them”: This is their car.
  • There – in that place: The park is over there.

Won – One

  • Won – past tense of win: We won the basketball game.
  • One – the number 1: I have one son.

Two – To – Too

  • Two – the number 2: I’ll have two hamburgers, please.
  • To – this has many meanings. One means “in the direction of”: I’m going to South America.
  • Too – also: I want to go, too.

A while – Awhile

  • A while – A period of time: I haven’t seen her in a while.
  • Awhile – For a short time: Let’s stay awhile and talk.

Accent – Ascent

  • Accent – Emphasize one part of something: Accent your good points.
  • Ascent – Upward movement: We watched the ascent of the balloon as long as we could.
  • Assent – To agree: I doubt he will assent to the arrangement.

Adapt – Adopt

  • Adapt – To change to fit: Newcomers quickly adapt to the culture of the Internet.
  • Adopt – To take as one’s own, as in: Would it be better to make our own rules, or adopt theirs?

Advice – Advise

  • Advice – Guidance or counsel: Your sound advice saved me from a terrible mistake.
  • Advise – To counsel, recommend, or inform: I advise you to validate the code on your Web page before you release it to the general public.

Altar – Alter

  • Altar – Worship table: The priest approached the altar.
  • Alter – Change: Nothing you can say will alter my plans.

Amend – Emend

  • Amend – Modify or revise: It’s time to amend our by-laws.
  • Emend – Alter or correct in the text of a written work: The publishers hurried to emend the book before the next edition.

Lose – Loose

  • Lose – to suffer a loss or defeat: I don’t want to lose you.
  • Loose – not firm or not fitting: My shirt is loose.

Appraise – Apprise

  • Appraise – Judge the value of: A professional takes many factors into account in order to appraise your house correctly.
  • Apprise – To inform or notify: Please apprise me of any sudden turn of events.

Ate – Eight

  • Ate – Past tense of “eat”: We ate in that new restaurant last week.
  • Eight – The number after seven: Breakfast will be at eight in the morning.

Bare – Bear

  • Bare – Exposed to view: The bare branches of the trees made lacy patterns against the winter sky.
  • Bear – A large mammal: At the zoo, we saw a bear.

Beside – Besides

  • Beside – By the side of: Sit down beside the fire and get warm.
  • Besides – Moreover or else: I’m not hungry; besides, I’m allergic to nuts.

Buy – By – Bye

  • Buy – Purchase: More and more customers are willing to buy goods from an online storefront.
  • By – Through the action of: This Web page designed by P. Sato Design.
  • Bye – Short form of goodbye: Bye for now.

Cell – Sell

  • Cell – Small room: She will spend two months in a prison cell for her mistake.
  • Sell – Offer for sale: I will sell you my car.

Cent – Scent

  • Cent – One-hundredth of a monetary unit: In the US, a penny is worth one cent.
  • Scent – Odor: The detective smelled the scent of almonds-could it be cyanide poisoning?

Cite – Sight – Site

  • Cite Quote: Your proposal will be more persuasive if you cite the results of a recent survey.
  • Sight – Vision: Our eyes provide us with one sense of sight; our imagination, another.
  • Site – Exact location: Thank you for visiting my web site. Please come back often.

Command – Commend

  • Command – Give an order: That sounded more like a command than a request.
  • Commend – Praise: I commend you for the effort in reading this list.

Complement – Compliment

  • Complement – That which completes: As an author, I need input from readers to complement my point of view.
  • Compliment – Expression of praise: Sometimes a critical remark is more useful than a compliment.

Council – Counsel

  • Council – Elected or appointed a group of people assembled for governing or advising: We’re going to have to take that idea up with the town council.
  • Counsel – Give advice or opinion: Volunteers counsel the young people.

Usage of Homonyms in Sentences

Homonyms are words that are spelled and pronounced the same, but have different meanings. They can be tricky to use in sentences, but they can add depth and complexity to your writing or speech. In this section, we will explore how homonyms are used in literature and everyday speech.

Related  Common Homophones: 120+ Most Important Homophones in English

Homonyms in Literature

Homonyms are often used in literature to create puns, wordplay, and double entendres. They can add humor, irony, and ambiguity to a story or poem. For example, in Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, Romeo says, “O brawling love, O loving hate,” which is a play on the homonyms “brawling” and “loving.” Similarly, in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the Cheshire Cat says, “We’re all mad here,” which is a play on the homonym “mad,” meaning both crazy and angry.

Homonyms in Everyday Speech

Homonyms are also commonly used in everyday speech, often unintentionally. They can cause confusion and misunderstandings if not used correctly. For example, if you say “I saw a bear in the park,” someone might think you mean “I saw a bare person in the park.” To avoid confusion, it’s important to use context clues and enunciate clearly when using homonyms in speech.

Here are some examples of homonyms used in sentences:

  • “I can’t bear to watch this movie.” (bear – to endure or a large mammal)
  • “I need to wind my watch.” (wind – to turn or a gust of air)
  • “The bank is closed on Sundays.” (bank – a financial institution or the side of a river)
  • “I ate a pear for breakfast.” (pear – a fruit or a pair – two of something)
  • “The band played a song about a knight.” (band – a musical group or a strip of material)
  • “She wore a bow in her hair.” (bow – a decorative knot or a weapon)

Using homonyms in sentences can be a fun and creative way to add depth to your writing or speech. Just be sure to use them correctly and provide enough context for your audience to understand the intended meaning.

Misunderstandings Caused by Homonyms

Homonyms are words that sound the same but have different meanings. They can cause confusion and misunderstandings, especially in written communication. Here are some examples of homonyms that can cause misunderstandings:

  • Bear and Bare: Bear is a large mammal, while bare means without clothes or uncovered. If you write “I saw a bear in the woods” instead of “I saw a bare tree in the woods,” you might confuse the reader.
  • Lead and Lead: Lead can be a metal or a verb that means to guide or direct, while lead is a soft, heavy, toxic metal. If you write “I will lead the team to victory” instead of “I will use lead weights to sink the boat,” you might cause confusion.
  • Flour and Flower: Flour is a powder made by grinding grains, while flower is a plant that produces colorful petals. If you write “I baked a cake with flower” instead of “I baked a cake with flour,” you might make the reader wonder how you managed to bake a cake with a plant.

To avoid misunderstandings caused by homonyms, it’s important to proofread your writing carefully and use context clues to determine the correct meaning of a word. Here are some tips to help you avoid homonym-related mistakes:

  • Use a dictionary or a spell-checker to check the spelling and meaning of words that you’re not sure about.
  • Read your writing out loud to catch any homonym-related errors that you might have missed.
  • Ask someone else to proofread your writing and point out any homonym-related mistakes.
  • Use context clues to determine the correct meaning of a homonym. For example, if you’re writing about baking, “flower” probably doesn’t make sense, while “flour” does.
Related  Common Homophones: 120+ Most Important Homophones in English

By being aware of homonyms and taking steps to avoid misunderstandings, you can communicate more effectively and avoid embarrassing mistakes.

Common Homonym List

  • A while – Awhile
  • Accent – Ascent
  • Adapt – Adopt
  • Advice – Advise
  • Ail – Ale
  • Air – Heir
  • Allowed – Aloud
  • Altar – Alter
  • Amend – Emend
  • Appraise – Apprise
  • Arc – Ark
  • Ate – Eight
  • Ate – Eight
  • Bad – Bade
  • Bail – Bale
  • Bald – Bawled
  • Ball – Bawl
  • Bare – Bear
  • Beach – Beech
  • Bean – Been
  • Bear – Bare
  • Beat – Beet
  • Bee – Be
  • Beet – Beat
  • Bell – Belle
  • Berry – Bury
  • Beside – Besides
  • Birth – Berth
  • Blue – Blew
  • Boar – Bore
  • Board – Bored
  • Bough – Bow
  • Bow – Bough
  • Boy – Buoy
  • Brake – Break
  • Buy – By – Bye
  • Capital – Capitol
  • Ceiling – Sealing
  • Cell – Sell
  • Cent – Scent
  • Cheap – Cheep
  • Check – Cheque
  • Cite – Sight – Site
  • Coarse – Course
  • Command – Commend
  • Complement – Compliment
  • Cord – Chord
  • Council – Counsel
  • Dear – Deer
  • Die – Dye
  • Dun – Done
  • Dye – die
  • Ewe – You
  • Eye – I
  • Fair – Fare
  • Feat – Feet
  • Find – Fined
  • Flea – Flee
  • Flew – Flu
  • Flower – Flour
  • Fool – Full
  • Fore – Four
  • Forth – Fourth
  • Foul – Fowl
  • Fur – Fir
  • Gait – Gate
  • Grate – Great
  • Groan – Grown
  • Hair – Hare
  • Hall – Haul
  • Heal – Heel
  • Hear – Here
  • Heard – Herd
  • Here – Hear
  • Higher – Hire
  • Him – Hymn
  • Hole – Whole
  • Hour – Our
  • Idle – Idol
  • Key – Quay
  • Knew – New
  • Knight – Night
  • Knot – Not
  • Know – No
  • Lain – Lane
  • Lead – Led
  • Leak – Leek
  • Lessen – Lesson
  • Loan – Lone
  • Lose – Loose
  • Made – Maid
  • Mail – Male
  • Main – Mane
  • Meat – Meet
  • Medal – Meddle
  • Missed – Mist
  • Muscle – Mussel
  • None – Nun
  • Oar – Ore
  • One – Won
  • Pail – Pale
  • Pain – Pane
  • Pair – Pear
  • Patience – Patients
  • Peace – Piece
  • Peal – Peel
  • Plain – Plane
  • Plane – Plain
  • Pore – Pour
  • Practice – Practise
  • Praise – Prays
  • Pray – Prey
  • Principal – Principle
  • Profit – Prophet
  • Rain – Reign
  • Rap – Wrap
  • Read – Red
  • Right – Write
  • Ring – Wring
  • Road – Rode
  • Role – Roll
  • Root – Route
  • Rose – Rows
  • Sale – Sail
  • Scene – Seen
  • Sea – See
  • Seam – Seem
  • Sew – Sow
  • Sight – Site
  • Soar – Sore
  • Sole – Soul
  • Son – Sun
  • Soot – Suit
  • Stair – Stare
  • Stake – Steak
  • Steal – Steel
  • Stile – Style
  • Suite – Sweet
  • Tail – Tale
  • Tear – Tier
  • They’re – Their – There
  • Threw – Through
  • Throne – Thrown
  • Tide – Tied
  • Told – Tolled
  • Too – To, Two
  • Towed – Toad
  • Urn – Earn
  • Vain – Vein
  • Vale – Veil
  • Waist – Waste
  • Wait – Weight
  • Way – Weigh
  • Weak – Week
  • Wear – Where
  • Whole – Hole
  • Witch – Which
  • Won – One
  • Wood – Would
  • Write – Right
  • Yoke – Yolk
  • Yore – Your

Common Homonyms in English | Infographic

Homonyms

Homonyms

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between homonyms and homophones?

Homonyms are words that have the same spelling or pronunciation but have different meanings. Homophones, on the other hand, are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings.

Can you give me some examples of homonyms in sentences?

Sure! Here are a few examples:

  • I saw a bear in the woods. (bear as in the animal)
  • She brushed her hair. (hair as in the strands on your head)
  • The band played on. (band as in a group of musicians, and band as in a ring)

How do you pronounce homonyms correctly?

The pronunciation of homonyms depends on their context. You should listen to how people use them in conversation to get a sense of their pronunciation.

What are some types of homonyms?

There are two types of homonyms: homophones and homographs. Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings, while homographs are words that have the same spelling but different meanings.

Do you have any homonyms worksheets?

Yes, there are many homonyms worksheets available online. You can find them by searching for “homonyms worksheets” on your favorite search engine.

Can you provide me with 20 examples of homophones?

Sure, here are 20 examples of homophones:

  • hear/here
  • their/there/they’re
  • to/too/two
  • flour/flower
  • peace/piece
  • waist/waste
  • bear/bare
  • break/brake
  • eight/ate
  • night/knight
  • one/won
  • road/rode
  • see/sea
  • sun/son
  • tail/tale
  • wait/weight
  • weak/week
  • weather/whether
  • where/wear
  • write/right

Related links:

English Study Online

Sanamtha

Tuesday 8th of November 2022

I hate this one Practice – Practise

Alan

Sunday 27th of February 2022

advice & advise, likewise. The "s" and "z" sounds are a special DISTINCTION between these words; they show how to distinguish the noun from the verb!

Alan

Sunday 27th of February 2022

"Awaiting for approval" (as we are told after writing a post) is not even English. To an extent, this whole site should be taken down... or edited. "Awaiting approval" is fine, as is "Waiting for approval." Who is in charge of this site?

V L

Friday 8th of May 2020

These are not homonyms at all. They are all homophones. Homonyms are spelled the same, like wave and wave. Please get your facts straight before posting things.

Alan

Sunday 27th of February 2022

For heaven's sake, "ascent" and "accent" are not even homophones! They have little in common; the middle sounds are "s" and "ks" respectively. No site editor?

Thomas

Friday 22nd of November 2019

I don't want to seem rude, I just want know which is right, but another website is saying the same word "tie" is a homophone whereas you say it's a homonym! My problem is which is it?

jOANNE BOXWELL

Thursday 12th of May 2022

they are definitely homonyms. Please do not use this site if you are learning English. There are many many mistakes on it - this being an example of a very basic type of spelling. Regards - an experienced teacher of English - native speaker

Alan

Sunday 27th of February 2022

And, likewise, 'appraise' and 'apprise' show how a vowel sound can change the whole meaning of a word. Not homophones by the longest stretch.

rekesh / rikesh / raw

Thursday 23rd of September 2021

it is homophone but they wrote it homonyms so it is the wrong and same time right.

Bruce

Tuesday 10th of December 2019

Tie is both a homophone as well as a homonym