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Table of contents

1. What are homographs?

2. Homographs matching game

3. Examples of homographs

4. How to use homographs correctly

1. What are homographs?

The word "homograph" comes from the Greek words homo (same) and graph (writing). So, homographs are words that are written the same but may have different meanings or pronunciations. They can be confusing, but they are also fun to learn!

2. Homographs matching game

Match each homograph to the correct definition. Each set has 10 questions, and you’ll play up to 5 sets (50 questions). Good luck!

Homographs Quiz

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Question Text

3. Examples of homographs

Below is a table of 50 common homographs in English with example sentences and definitions. Each word has different meanings, and sometimes different pronunciations.

Word Meaning 1 Meaning 2 Example sentences
bat A flying mammal A piece of sports equipment used in cricket or baseball 1. The bat flew out of the cave at night.
2. He hit the ball with his cricket bat.
bow To bend forward at the waist as a sign of respect The front part of a ship 1. The actor took a bow after the performance.
2. The waves crashed against the bow of the ship.
lead To guide or direct A heavy metal (chemical symbol: Pb) 1. She will lead the team to victory.
2. The pipes were made of lead.
tear To rip something apart A drop of water from the eye 1. Be careful not to tear the paper.
2. She wiped a tear from her cheek.
wind Moving air To twist or turn something 1. The wind blew the leaves off the trees.
2. You need to wind the clock to make it work.
row A line of things or people To move a boat using oars 1. The children sat in a straight row.
2. They decided to row the boat across the lake.
close To shut something Nearby or not far away 1. Please close the door behind you.
2. The shop is close to my house.
bass A type of fish A low-pitched sound or voice 1. He caught a large bass while fishing.
2. The singer has a deep bass voice.
desert A dry, sandy area with little rainfall To abandon or leave someone 1. The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world.
2. He decided to desert his post and run away.
minute A unit of time (60 seconds) Very small or tiny 1. Wait a minute, I’ll be right back.
2. The insect was so minute that it was hard to see.
bear A large mammal To tolerate or carry a burden 1. The bear roamed the forest.
2. She couldn’t bear the pain any longer.
bank A financial institution The side of a river 1. She deposited money at the bank.
2. We sat on the bank of the river.
match A stick used to light a fire A competition or game 1. He struck the match to light the candle.
2. The football match ended in a draw.
ring A piece of jewellery worn on the finger The sound a bell makes 1. She wore a gold ring on her finger.
2. The church bells began to ring.
light Brightness or illumination Not heavy 1. The light from the sun was blinding.
2. The suitcase was very light.
right Correct or morally good The opposite of left 1. You are right about the answer.
2. Turn right at the next corner.
spring A season of the year A coiled metal device 1. Flowers bloom in spring.
2. The spring in the mattress was broken.
wave A movement of water in the sea To move your hand in greeting 1. The wave crashed onto the shore.
2. She gave a friendly wave.
rock A solid mineral material To move gently back and forth 1. The child picked up a rock.
2. She likes to rock the baby to sleep.
fly To move through the air An insect 1. Birds fly in the sky.
2. A fly landed on the food.
letter A written message A character in the alphabet 1. She wrote a letter to her friend.
2. The word "cat" has three letters.
park A public green space To leave a vehicle in a place 1. We went for a walk in the park.
2. He decided to park the car.
watch A timepiece worn on the wrist To look at something carefully 1. She checked her watch for the time.
2. He likes to watch movies.
fair Just or reasonable A fun event with rides and games 1. The teacher gave a fair grade.
2. We went to the county fair.
point The sharp end of something To direct attention to something 1. The pencil has a sharp point.
2. He used a stick to point at the map.
kind Friendly or generous A type or category 1. She is a very kind person.
2. What kind of music do you like?
lie To recline or rest To say something untrue 1. He decided to lie down for a nap.
2. She told a lie to avoid trouble.
pound A unit of weight The currency of the UK 1. The bag of sugar weighs one pound.
2. He exchanged dollars for pounds.
current Happening now The flow of water or electricity 1. The current situation is improving.
2. The river’s current was strong.
date A specific day on the calendar A sweet fruit 1. What is today’s date?
2. She ate a date for a snack.
fall To drop down The season after summer 1. Be careful not to fall.
2. The leaves change colour in fall.
fine Of high quality A penalty payment 1. She wore a fine silk dress.
2. He had to pay a fine for speeding.
left The opposite of right Past tense of "leave" 1. Turn left at the traffic light.
2. She left the house early.
mean Unkind or cruel To signify or represent 1. The bully was very mean.
2. What does this word mean?
novel A long written story New or unusual 1. She is reading a novel by Jane Austen.
2. He came up with a novel idea.
object A thing To express disapproval 1. The object on the table was a vase.
2. She decided to object to the proposal.
patient A person receiving medical care Willing to wait without complaining 1. The doctor treated the patient.
2. She was very patient with the children.
present A gift Existing or happening now 1. He gave her a birthday present.
2. The present situation is uncertain.
refuse To decline or reject Waste material 1. She decided to refuse the offer.
2. The refuse was collected by the truck.
second A unit of time Coming after the first 1. Wait a second, please.
2. She finished in second place.
sink A basin for washing To go down below the surface 1. She washed her hands in the sink.
2. The boat began to sink.
state A condition or situation A region of a country 1. The house was in a messy state.
2. California is a state in the USA.
trip A journey To stumble or fall 1. They went on a trip to the mountains.
2. Be careful not to trip on the stairs.
well In good health A deep hole for water 1. She feels well today.
2. They drew water from the well.

4. How to use homographs correctly

Homographs can be tricky because they look the same but mean different things. Here are some tips to use them correctly:

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