H is for HOMONYMS!
- thespanglishspeake
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
In today’s blog post, we are going to focus on homonyms.
A homonym is a single word that is spelled and pronounced exactly the same way, but it holds two (or more) completely unrelated meanings.
Because of homonyms, often times you can’t just know the meaning of a word. You need to have the context.
This doesn’t happen so often in Spanish, although there are a few examples:
vino: wine and the past tense of venir
banco: bank and bench
río: river and laugh
Examples of Homonyms in English!
Fly
To fly (verb): To move through the air using wings
Birds fly south for the winter.
Fly (noun): A common small insect with wings
There is a fly buzzing around my food.
Right
Right (adjective): Correct, true, or okay
You are completely right about that.
Right (noun): The opposite of left
Turn right at the next traffic light.
Left
Left (noun): The opposite of right
The supermarket is on the left.
Left (verb): the past tense of leave: leave/left/left
She already left the office.
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Watch
To watch: (verb): To look at or observe something carefully over time
Do you want to watch a movie tonight?
Watch (noun): A small clock worn on a strap around your wrist
My watch says it's exactly three o'clock.
Mean
To Mean (verb): To signify, intend, or express an idea
What does this English word mean?
Mean (adjective): American English: unkind, cruel, or unpleasant / British English: miserly or ungenerous
Don't be so mean to your little brother!
He's too mean to buy her a diamond ring.
As with so many other topics, homonyms can be a bit confusing. Remember, that context is everything. Learning all the meanings of different words is an important aspect of English and with practice you’ll soon be able to use them in their intended and different ways.
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