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Ever chat to your friend about baking bread, and you're both confused between needing some flour and kneading some flour because neither of you has provided further context? That's an example of homonymy,  words with different meanings but pronounced and/or spelt the same. The definition of homonymy is rather broad, as it covers both the pronunciation and the spelling, which we will explain further with some examples and comparisons to other lexically ambiguous words!
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Sign up for freeTrue or false?Polysemic words are listed under one dictionary entry.
Are the words been and bean in these sentences homophones?I've never been to Spain.These coffee beans were roasted for hours using a special technique.
True or false - Serve is an example of both polysemy and homonymy?
 Are the words bow in these sentences homophones? She aimed her bow slowly.He bowed down begging for some money.
True or false - Polysemy refers to words with several related meanings and listed under several dictionary entries.
True or false - Homonymy refers to 'words with different meanings that are neither pronounced nor spelt the same'?
 Are the words entrance in these sentences homographs?The thief ran through the back entrance.He has entranced millions of people with his beautiful voice.
True or false - Homograph is the broader term for homophone and homonymy.
Homonym wordplay is more effective in...
Are the words bear in these sentences homographs?Most polar bears live in the North Pole.I'll bear the consequences of my decision.
True or false?Homonyms can create lexical ambiguity.
True or false?Polysemic words are listed under one dictionary entry.
Are the words been and bean in these sentences homophones?I've never been to Spain.These coffee beans were roasted for hours using a special technique.
True or false - Serve is an example of both polysemy and homonymy?
 Are the words bow in these sentences homophones? She aimed her bow slowly.He bowed down begging for some money.
True or false - Polysemy refers to words with several related meanings and listed under several dictionary entries.
True or false - Homonymy refers to 'words with different meanings that are neither pronounced nor spelt the same'?
 Are the words entrance in these sentences homographs?The thief ran through the back entrance.He has entranced millions of people with his beautiful voice.
True or false - Homograph is the broader term for homophone and homonymy.
Homonym wordplay is more effective in...
Are the words bear in these sentences homographs?Most polar bears live in the North Pole.I'll bear the consequences of my decision.
True or false?Homonyms can create lexical ambiguity.
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What is the definition of homonymy?
Homonymy is the term for words with different meanings but the same pronunciation (homophone) and / or spelling (homograph). Homonyms have multiple dictionary entries (eg as a verb and noun).
What are some examples of homonymy?
Some examples of homonymy are band (music band & rubber band), address (to address someone and details of where somebody lives), and rock (to move backwards and forwards and a stone).
What is the difference between polysemy and homonymy?
Polysemy refers to words with several related meanings but listed under one dictionary entry eg, mouse, wings, and beam. Homonymy refers to words with different meanings but the same pronunciation and / or spelling, eg, band, address, and rock. Homonyms have multiple dictionary entries.
What are the types of homonymy?
The types of homonymy are homophones and homographs.
What is the difference between homophones and homographs?
Homophones are words with different meanings but the same pronunciation, while homographs are words with different meanings and pronunciations but the same spelling.
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