Homograph Examples List – English is a fun language to learn, but it can also be confusing! Some words in English look the same but have different meanings or are said in different ways. These words are called homographs. For example, the word tear can mean “a drop from your eye” or “to rip something.” This lesson will help you understand these tricky words.
In this lesson, you will learn how to read and use homographs correctly. You will see how the same word can change meaning depending on how it is said or used. You will read funny sentences that show the two meanings of each word, and we will explain everything to make it easy for you.
28 Homograph Examples List
Learning about homographs will improve your reading and speaking skills in English. You will also feel more confident when you see these words in books, conversations, or even exams.
Look at some tricky sentences. Each sentence has a homograph—a word that has two meanings or two pronunciations. Try to understand the sentence and guess the meanings of the words.
- We must polish the Polish furniture.
(Polish = to make shiny, Polish = from Poland) - He could lead if he would get the lead out.
(Lead = to guide, lead = a type of metal) - The farm was used to produce produce.
(Produce = to create, produce = fruits or vegetables) - The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
(Refuse = to say no, refuse = trash) - The soldier decided to desert in the desert.
(Desert = to leave, desert = a dry, sandy area) - This was a good time to present the present.
(Present = to give, present = a gift) - A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
(Bass = a fish, bass = a low musical sound) - When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
(Dove = a bird, dove = jumped quickly) - I did not object to the object.
(Object = to disagree, object = a thing) - The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
(Invalid = not valid, invalid = a sick person) - The bandage was wound around the wound.
(Wound = wrapped, wound = an injury) - There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
(Row = a fight, row = to paddle a boat) - They were too close to the door to close it.
(Close = near, close = to shut) - The buck does funny things when the does are present.
(Does = male deer, does = female deer) - They sent a sewer down to stitch the tear in the sewer line.
(Sewer = a person who sews, sewer = a pipe for waste) - To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
(Sow = a female pig, sow = to plant seeds) - The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
(Wind = moving air, wind = to twist) - After a number of injections, my jaw got number.
(Number = more numb, number = a figure or digit) - Upon seeing the tear in my clothes, I shed a tear.
(Tear = a rip, tear = a drop from the eye) - I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
(Subject = to expose, subject = a topic) - How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
(Intimate = to suggest, intimate = close or personal) - I read it once and will read it again.
(Read = past tense of read, read = present tense of read) - I learned much from this learned treatise.
(Learned = educated, learned = acquired knowledge) - I was content to note the content of the message.
(Content = satisfied, content = what is inside something) - The Blessed Virgin blessed her richly.
(Blessed = holy, blessed = gave blessings) - It’s a bit wicked to over-trim a short wicked candle.
(Wicked = evil, wicked = having a wick) - If he will absent himself, we will mark him absent.
(Absent = to stay away, absent = not present) - I incline toward bypassing the incline.
(Incline = to lean, incline = a slope)
Practice Activity: Match the Homographs
Match the words to their meanings:
- Bass
a) A low sound
b) A type of fish - Row
a) A fight or argument
b) To move a boat with oars - Tear
a) A drop from your eye
b) To rip something
(Answers: 1 = a/b, 2 = a/b, 3 = a/b)
Homograph Examples List
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