What is a Homonym?
Homonyms, which may have seemed so simple in second grade, are actually a complicated grammatical phenomenon. They are often confused with homographs and homophones when, in actuality, they are more a type of homograph or homophone. The most basic definition of a homonym is two words that sound the same and, depending upon with whom you consult, are spelled the same, yet have different meanings.
Other People Are Reading
-
Types
-
There are four considerations when determining if two words constitute a homonym. The first unwavering rule is that the two words must sound the same. The next three considerations are not as rigid but, in general, the two words that sound the same must differ from one another in meaning, origin and, possibly, spelling.
Features
-
An example of a homonym that satisfies all four requirements are "night" and "knight." Another example is "sweet" and "suite." Both examples are of words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have singular meanings and origins. Where things get complicated are with words that sound the same, have distinct meanings, and are also spelled the same. These, too, can be considered homonyms. An example of these types of homonyms is "free" as in liberated and "free" as in without a cost. Then there are those homonyms that extend beyond two words, such as "for", "fore" and "four."
-
Misconceptions
-
It can be tempting to call a homograph such as the present tense of "read" and the past tense, "read," a homonym but, because the words are pronounced differently, they break the defining rule of homonyms. Purists might also argue that words that sound alike but are not spelled alike--such as "peer" and "pier"--cannot be called true homonyms, but rather homophones. This distinction is a matter of some debate.
History
-
Examining the root of the word "homonym" helps illuminate its meaning. The word is derived from the Greek term that means "same name." However, this root meaning says nothing about whether the spelling must be the same for two words to qualify as a homonym. Hence, while "fair" as in a carnival and "fair" as in just can clearly be called homonyms, including the word "fare" in the comparison confuses the matter.
Expert Insight
-
The contributor at Roger's Reference (see Resources) adds to the homonym quandary with his observations. He has consulted several dictionaries and found that dictionary definitions also diverge in the meaning of homonym. Roger's Reference reports that the Oxford definition of a homonym are words that are spelled the same but have different meanings. Webster says the two words may be spelled or may sound the same, but must have different meanings. Chambers says the words must sound the same and have different meanings. Finally, MacQuarie says the words must sound the same, may be spelled the same, and must have distinct meanings.
-
