What is a Homographs and its Uses

Homographs refer to the words that have different meaning, pronunciation and origin but same spelling. In simple words, homographs are those words, which share same spelling, but differ in pronunciation, origin and meaning. For instance, ‘bat’ – an animal as well as sports equipment. The word ‘homograph’ is derived from the Greek word ‘homos’, which means ‘the same’ and graph means ‘to write’.

Some homograph words are mentioned below:

•    Agape – Love ( a Greek word) or a wide open mouth (In a state of amazement) 

•    Bass – A deep voice or a kind of fish

•    Bow- To incline or a kind of knot

•    Compact – Small or a small make-up case

•    Close – Near or to Shut

•    Entrance – A means by which to enter or to fill with delight

•    Fine – A levy or  of superior quality

•    Fly –  To move through the air or an insect

•    Lead – To direct in a course or a type of metal

•    Left – Went or direction

•    Minute – Tiny or unit of time

•    Object – To oppose or a thing

•    Pupil – Student or a part of eye

•    Sewer – A person who sews or drain

•    Tear – a watery discharge from the eye or  to rip

•    Wound – To injure or past tense of wind

•    Wave – Sea water coming into shore or to move the hand in greeting

Uses of homographs

Homographs can be used in sentences in following ways.

1.    Bat

•    You cannot hit the ball too fast with a light bat.

•    Bats are the only mammals that can fly.

2.    Bow

•    I have learned to make a bow with a satin ribbon.

•    People in Japan usually bow to show respect.

3.    Close

•    The water park is close to the zoological park.

•    Did you close the door?

4.    Minute

•    Sea water contains thousands of minute particles.

•    I will be there in 2 minutes.

5.    Tear

•    Did you tear pages out of your book?

•    I don’t know why tears come out of my eyes for no reason.