Basic Details
Word: Homonym
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A word that sounds the same as another word but has a different meaning, and sometimes different spelling.
Synonyms: Same-sounding word, homophone
Antonyms: N/A
Idioms and Phrases
- Words of a feather: This phrase can imply that similar-sounding words (homonyms) can lead to confusion. Example: "He always mixes up 'flower' and 'flour' because they sound so similar; words of a feather."
- To make a mountain out of a molehill: Sometimes, misunderstandings with homonyms arise from confusing sounds. Example: "They thought I said 'sale' when I said 'sail'; they really made a mountain out of a molehill!"
Usage Examples
Example 1: The word "bark" can refer to the sound a dog makes or the outer covering of a tree, making it a homonym.
Example 2: In English class, we learned that "write" and "right" are homonyms because they sound the same but have different meanings.
Example 3: The teacher explained homonyms using "see" and "sea" to show how words can sound identical yet differ in definition.
Fun Fact
Did you know that homonyms can create fun wordplay in jokes and puns? For instance, "I used to be a baker, but I couldnt make enough dough!" plays on the word "dough" meaning both bread mixture and money!
Famous Quote
"Words can be like X-rays if you use them properlythey'll go through anything. You read them and you're pierced." Aldous Huxley
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "homonym" mean?
a) A word that has a single meaning
b) A word that sounds like another word but has a different meaning
c) A word that rhymes with another
d) A type of animal
Answer: b) A word that sounds like another word but has a different meaning
2. Which of these is a synonym of "homonym"?
a) Antonym
b) Same-sounding word
c) Definition
d) Phrase
Answer: b) Same-sounding word
3. Which sentence uses "homonym" correctly?
a) The cat is my favourite homonym.
b) The homonym "pair" can refer to both a couple of shoes or two items.
c) The homonym jumped over the fence.
d) The homonym flew into the sky.
Answer: b) The homonym "pair" can refer to both a couple of shoes or two items.
4. Which idiom suggests that misunderstanding can happen with words?
a) To make a mountain out of a molehill
b) Every cloud has a silver lining
c) Break the ice
d) The apple doesnt fall far from the tree
Answer: a) To make a mountain out of a molehill
5. What is the opposite of a "homonym"?
a) Synonym
b) N/A
c) Antonym
d) Definition
Answer: a) Synonym
