Homographs are words that are spelled the same but have different meanings and often different pronunciations. They can lead to confusion in language, showcasing the complexity and richness of English vocabulary. Here, we explore 20 examples of homographs along with sentences illustrating their diverse meanings and contexts.
1. Tear
- Noun: She wiped away a tear from her cheek.
- Verb: Please be careful not to tear the paper.
2. Bass
- Noun: The bass in this lake are known for their size.
- Adjective: She played a bass guitar at the concert.
3. Lead
- Noun: He is the lead actor in the play.
- Verb: She will lead the team to victory.
4. Wind
- Noun: The strong wind knocked down trees.
- Verb: They had to wind their way through the maze.
5. Row
- Noun: They had a disagreement, and now they sit in separate rows.
- Verb: She loves to row early in the morning on the lake.
6. Desert
- Noun: The Sahara is the world’s largest hot desert.
- Verb: He will desert his friends if they need him.
7. Object
- Noun: The object on the table caught her eye.
- Verb: He didn’t object to the proposal during the meeting.
8. Close
- Adjective: The store is close to our house.
- Verb: Please close the door behind you.
9. Invalid
- Noun: He was declared an invalid after the accident.
- Adjective: This coupon is invalid; it expired last month.
10. Bow
- Noun: She tied a bow around the gift.
- Verb: He will bow to the audience after his performance.
11. Sewer
- Noun: The sewer overflowed after heavy rain.
- Verb: She learned to sew her own clothes.
12. Minute
- Noun: Wait a minute; I’ll be right back.
- Adjective: The details are so minute that they’re hard to see.
13. Content
- Noun: The content of the book was very informative.
- Adjective: He seemed content with his decision.
14. Object
- Noun: The object on the shelf is fragile.
- Verb: She will object to his decision during the meeting.
15. Polish
- Noun: She applied polish to her shoes.
- Verb: He likes to polish his car every weekend.
16. Entrance
- Noun: The grand entrance to the palace was breathtaking.
- Verb: Her performance will entrance the audience.
17. Bass
- Noun: He caught a large bass in the lake.
- Adjective: The bass notes resonated throughout the room.
18. Sow
- Verb: She will sow seeds in the garden tomorrow.
- Noun: The sow nursed her piglets in the barn.
19. Read
- Verb: She loves to read books in her spare time.
- Adjective: The sign read “Closed” due to renovation.
20. Wound
- Noun: He sustained a deep wound in the accident.
- Verb: She wound the bandage around his arm tightly.
Homographs present a fascinating aspect of the English language, showcasing how words with identical spellings can convey vastly different meanings and functions in everyday communication. Understanding these nuances enriches both spoken and written language, highlighting the versatility and depth of vocabulary in English.