Homographs are words which are spelled the same but have different meanings. They usually appear as separate entries in a dictionary.
Examples: The man dug a well in his compound.
They worked well together.
In the first sentence, the noun well means “a spring of water”.
In the second sentence, the adverb well means “in a good manner”.
HOMOGRAPHS
Examples of common homographs in the English Language
Some homographs are spelled the same but pronounced differently.
Example: The wind is strong today.
This path winds through the hills.
Exercise
Write two meanings of the following homographs and use each of them in sentences of your own.
- Pen 6. Act
- Tire 7. Arms
- Dove 8. Block
- Wound 9. Box
- Mean 10. Bank
Answer
Exercise
- Pen – a device for writing
– An enclosure for sheep
- Tire – to make weary
– The rubber material on the wheel of an automobile or bicycle.
- Dove – past tense of dive
– A bird
- Wound – past tense of wind
– An injury.
- Mean – stingy
– Average
- Act – a dramatic performance
– Doing something
- Arms – upper limbs
– Weapons
- Block – a building
– Obstruct
- Box – a carton
– Fight with gloves
- Bank – edge of a river
– A money depository
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