Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs Homonym a word that is spelt like another word (or pronounced like it) but which has a different meaning, for example Key meaning 'set of answer to problems' and Key meaning 'button on computer keyboard'. The state of being a homonym is called homonymy. Very Important Note: In Strict Sense, Homonyms have same spelling, same pronunciation, and different meaning. HOMONYMS in Strict Sense: Same Spelling / Same Pronunciation / Different meaning Examples: fare, trunk, etc. Fare -- a passenger Fare -- price Trunk -- a large strong box Trunk -- main stem of a tree In Wider Sense, Homonyms can also include words that have same or similar pronunciation (but different spelling) Or same spelling (but different pronunciation.) In first situation, they are called 'HOMOPHONES' In second situation, they are called 'HOMOGRAPHS' HOMONYMS In Wider Sense: HOMOPHONES: Different Spelling / Same or Similar Pronunciation / Different meaning Examples: ad/add, know/now, to/too/two ad -- advertisement add -- to include Note: 'Homophones' are also called 'Heterographs' HOMOGRAPHS: Same Spelling / Different Pronunciation / Different meaning Examples: abuse, bow, close, desert, entrance, fine, incense, lead, object bow -- (Pronunciation - bOU) -- a weapon used for shooting arrows bow -- (Pronunciation bAU) -- to move your head forwards and downwards Note: 'Homographs' are also called 'Heterophones'