homonym

[ hom-uh-nim ]

Part of Speech noun

Origin + Etymology

Late 17th century; Greek via Latin from Greek homōnumon, neuter of homōnumos ‘having the same name’, from homos ‘same’ + onoma ‘name’

Synonyms

homograph
homophone

Antonyms

unavailable

Definition

each of two or more words having the same spelling or pronunciation but different meanings and origins

Example

A) The words appeared to be the same, but when Joey heard how they were used differently, he realized they were homonyms. B) The English teacher struggled to get her class to understand the differences in the homonyms.

Usage Over Time

#educational

Usage Over Time

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obeisance

[ oh-bey-suhns ]

deference or homage

gallivant

[ gal-uh-vant ]

to wander about, seeking pleasure or diversion; gad

triptych

[ trip-tik ]

a tablet written on in ancient times with a stylus

exoneration

[ ig-zon-uh-rey-shuhn ]

the act of relieving someone of an obligation or duty

brumal

[ broo-muhl ]

wintry

acquisitive

[ uh-kwiz-i-tiv ]

tending or seeking to acquire and own, often greedily; eager to get wealth, possessions, etc.

lampoon

[ lam-poon ]

publicly criticize (someone or something) by using ridicule, irony, or sarcasm

banshee

[ ban-shee ]

(in Irish legend) a female spirit whose wailing warns of an impending death in a house

incumbent

[ in-kuhm-buhnt ]

the holder of an office or post