The English language is riddled with homographs—phrases which might be spelled the identical means however differ in which means and/or pronunciation or origin. As a matter of reality, riddle is one in every of them: There’s the transitive verb, which means “to poke holes into one thing,” and the noun, which refers to an enigma or a puzzle.

Fortuitously, telling these tricksters aside is simpler than you may count on—the phrases surrounding a homograph often present context clues, making it clear which which means the author intends to speak. However there are nonetheless issues to be careful for: The phrase homograph is terribly much like homophone and homonym, the names for 2 associated—however completely different—ambiguities within the language. We’ll get into the distinctions beneath.

What’s a homograph?

A homograph (pronounced HAH-muh-graf) is a pair or group of phrases which have the identical spelling however differ in which means and typically pronunciation or origin. The prefix homo- comes from the Greek phrase for “similar,” and graph comes from the Greek phrase for “writing”; homographs are written—spelled—the identical means.

Typically, these phrases sound completely different when spoken:

bass: a sort of fish

bass: a musical instrument

Typically, they sound the identical:

ring: jewellery worn on a finger

ring: name somebody on the cellphone

Typically they appear and sound an identical however are derived from fully completely different roots. The 2 senses of riddle that we recognized in the beginning of this submit are simply such a case. The verb meaning “to pierce one thing with many holes” or “fully pervade one thing” involves us from a Proto-Indo-European root phrase for sifting one thing with a software like a sieve, whereas the noun referring to an enigma or a puzzle comes through an Outdated English phrase meaning “to interpret or decode”—and can be the supply of the phrase learn.

Homographs versus homonyms and homophones

Not solely do the phrases homograph, homophone, and homonym start with the identical prefix, their meanings additionally overlap and are typically contested.

We’ve already seen {that a} homograph is a phrase that’s spelled the identical as one other phrase however has a distinct which means and might have a distinct pronunciation. A homophone (which means “similar sound”) is a phrase that’s pronounced identically to a different phrase however has a distinct which means and might have a distinct spelling.

The phrases bow (a bending of the physique to indicate respect) and bow (the entrance of a ship) are each homophones and homographs as a result of they’re spelled and pronounced identically. The phrase bow (the weapon that shoots an arrow) is a homograph of the opposite two phrases however not a homophone as a result of it’s pronounced in another way.

Within the broadest definition, homonym (“similar identify”) is an umbrella time period for phrases with the identical spelling or sound however completely different meanings, which implies homographs and homophones are kinds of homonyms. Within the frequent set of homonyms their/they’re/there, all three phrases are homophones along with being homonyms; none of them are homographs.

Homograph examples

Widespread homographs which might be additionally homophones

• band (group of individuals) / band (strap)
• bat (flying mammal) / bat (sports activities tools)
• bear (giant mammal) / bear (to hold)
• can (to have the option) / can (metallic meals container)
• class (educational course) / class (sophistication)
• crane (wading chicken) / crane (lifting machine)
• honest (equitable) / honest (carnival)
• fan (air-blowing equipment) / fan (admirer)
• variety (sympathetic, useful) / variety (sort)
• lean (having little fats) / lean (to relaxation towards one thing)
• novel (new, distinctive) / novel (fictional e-book)
• park (out of doors leisure house) / park (to carry a car to a cease)
• half (element) / half (to separate)
• pen (writing implement) / pen (small enclosure)
• watch (time-telling jewellery) / watch (to watch)

Widespread homographs with completely different pronunciations

• attribute (attribute) / attribute (to offer credit score)
• shut (close by) / shut (to close)
• console (cupboard) / console (to consolation)
• content material (glad) / content material (materials contained)
• entrance (approach to enter) / entrance (to enchant)
• lead (gentle, heavy metallic) / lead (to go up)
• minute (sixty seconds) / minute (very small)
• object (merchandise) / object (to protest)
• Polish (from Poland) / polish (to make easy and glossy)
• current (reward) / current (to indicate)
• produce (fruit and greens) / produce (to carry into existence)
• topic (subject) / topic (to carry underneath management of one thing)
• tear (drop of fluid from the attention) / tear (to tear)
• wind (motion of air) / wind (to show one thing round one thing else)
• wound (harm that breaks the pores and skin) / wound (previous tense of wind)

Homograph FAQs

What’s a homograph?

A homograph is one in every of two or extra phrases which might be spelled the identical however differ in which means and can also differ in pronunciation or origin.

How are homographs completely different from homonyms?

Within the loosest definition of homonym, a homonym is a phrase with the identical spelling or sound however a distinct which means from one other phrase. A homograph is a sort of homonym that has the identical spelling as the opposite phrase however a distinct which means.

How are homographs completely different from homophones?

Homophones are a sort of homonym that’s pronounced the identical as one other phrase however has a distinct which means, whereas homographs are spelled the identical as one other phrase, have a distinct which means, and will have a distinct pronunciation. Some phrases are each homographs and homophones.