homonym
/ˈhɑməˌnɪm/
noun
- A word that is spelled and pronounced the same as another word but has a different meaning (e.g., 'bank' meaning a financial institution and 'bank' meaning a river's edge).
- Students often confuse homonyms like 'right' (correct) and 'right' (a direction).
- The word 'bat' is a homonym: it can mean a flying animal or a piece of sports equipment.
- In the sentence 'I left my left shoe at home,' the word 'left' is used as a homonym.
- A word that is spelled the same as another word but has a different pronunciation and meaning (homograph), or pronounced the same but spelled differently (homophone); often used loosely for either.
- The homonym 'lead' can be pronounced to mean a metal or to mean to guide.
- Homonyms like 'flower' and 'flour' sound the same but are spelled differently.
- The teacher explained that 'tear' (to rip) and 'tear' (a drop from the eye) are homonyms.