A homonym is one of a group of words that share the same spelling and the same pronunciation but have different meanings. Explore examples and definitions below to better understand how these words function in English sentence structure and everyday vocabulary.
What Is a Homonym?
Understanding the exact rules of syntax and vocabulary helps clarify how words with identical spellings and sounds can express completely different ideas depending on the context.
Examples of Homonyms in English
Homonyms appear frequently in everyday English grammar. A few examples are listed below.
Bank
- bank a noun meaning an institution offering financial services, such as the safekeeping of money and lending of money, as in I have opened a savings account at the bank.
- bank a noun meaning a long raised mass, a hill or a slope and especially the sloping sides of a river, as in We walked for miles along the banks of the river.
Bill
- bill a noun meaning a written statement of money owed, as in You must pay the telephone bill immediately.
- bill a noun meaning a bird’s beak, as in The seagull has injured its beak .
Fair
- fair an adjective meaning attractive, as in fair young women; light in colour, as in She has fair hair; fine, not raining, as in I hope it keeps fair; just, free from prejudice, as in We felt that the referee came to a fair decision.
- fair a noun which formerly meant a market held regularly in the same place, often with stalls, entertainments and rides but now referring more to an event with entertainments and rides without the market, as in He won a coconut at the fair; a trade exhibition, as in the Frankfurt Book Fair.
Pulse
- pulse a noun meaning the throbbing caused by the contractions of the heart, as in The patient has a weak pulse.
- pulse a noun meaning the edible seeds of any of various crops of the pea family, such as lentils, peas and beans, as in Vegetarians eat a lot of food made with pulses.
Row
- row a verb, pronounced to rhyme with low, meaning to propel a boat by means of oars, as in He plans to row across the Atlantic single-handed.
- row a noun, pronounced to rhyme with low, meaning a number of people or things arranged in a line, as in We tried to get into the front row to watch the procession.
Trip
- trip a noun meaning a tour, journey or a voyage, as in I had a wonderful time during my trip to Spain.
- trip a verb meaning to stumble or fall over something, as in I tripped over a fallen branch in the wood and twisted my ankle.
Key Takeaways
- Homonyms share both the same spelling and the same pronunciation.
- Despite looking and sounding identical, homonyms carry completely different meanings based on context.
- Examples include words like bank, bill, fair, pulse, row, and trip.
Quick Practice
1. Write a sentence using the word bank as a financial institution.
2. Write a sentence using the word trip as a verb meaning to stumble. Share your answers in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of a homonym?
A homonym is one of a group of words that share the same spelling and the same pronunciation but have different meanings.
Can homonyms belong to different parts of speech?
Yes, homonyms can function as different parts of speech, such as a noun and a verb (e.g., trip as a noun meaning a journey versus a verb meaning to stumble).