homonym

noun hom·onym \ ˈhä-mə-ˌnim , ˈhō- \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of homonym

1 a grammar : homophone

the homonyms there and their

b grammar : homograph

The words lead, as in the metal, and lead, as in the verb, are homonyms.

c grammar : one of two or more words spelled and pronounced alike but different in meaning (such as the noun quail and the verb quail)

2 : namesake

3 biology : a taxonomic designation rejected as invalid because the identical term has been used to designate another group of the same rank — compare synonym

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homonymic

play \ˌhä-mə-ˈni-mik, ˌhō-\ adjective

See homonym defined for English-language learners

See homonym defined for kids

Examples of homonym in a Sentence

The noun “bear” and the verb “bear” are homonyms.

Recent Examples of homonym from the Web

In addition to being a homonym for an oil-rich state, the Q8 is expected to showcase Audi’s latest technologies.

— mark phelan, USA TODAY, "Hottest Ferrari yet, other new car models to debut in Geneva," 26 Feb. 2018
In addition to being a homonym for an oil-rich state, the Q8 is expected to showcase Audi’s latest technologies.

— mark phelan, USA TODAY, "Hottest Ferrari yet, other new car models to debut in Geneva," 26 Feb. 2018
Marines have toyed with the core/Corps homonym since at least the Vietnam War.

— alex horton, Washington Post, "Trump is surrounded by Marines. That didn’t stop him from mistakenly tweeting ‘Marine Core.’," 14 Mar. 2018
In addition to being a homonym for an oil-rich state, the Q8 is expected to showcase Audi’s latest technologies.

— mark phelan, USA TODAY, "Hottest Ferrari yet, other new car models to debut in Geneva," 26 Feb. 2018
But feminists have worked to counter censors: As the hashtag #MeToo came under fire, women started using homonym hashtags.

— karen yuan, The Atlantic, "#MeToo With Chinese Characteristics," 5 Feb. 2018
In addition to being a homonym for an oil-rich state, the Q8 is expected to showcase Audi’s latest technologies.

— mark phelan, USA TODAY, "Hottest Ferrari yet, other new car models to debut in Geneva," 26 Feb. 2018
In addition to being a homonym for an oil-rich state, the Q8 is expected to showcase Audi’s latest technologies.

— mark phelan, Detroit Free Press, "New BMW SUV, Volvo wagon, Toyota Supra headline Geneva auto show," 24 Feb. 2018
Savvy at gaining attention, Katz isn’t shy about highlighting her name — a serendipitous homonym — to publicize her growing business.

— charles rabin, miamiherald, "Cats, dogs, parrots, ferrets. If they’re gone, a pet detective named Katz helps find ’em," 12 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'homonym.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Homonym can be troublesome because it may refer to three distinct classes of words. Homonyms may be words with identical pronunciations but different spellings and meanings, such as to, too, and two. Or they may be words with both identical pronunciations and identical spellings but different meanings, such as quail (the bird) and quail (to cringe). Finally, they may be words that are spelled alike but are different in pronunciation and meaning, such as the bow of a ship and bow that shoots arrows. The first and second types are sometimes called homophones, and the second and third types are sometimes called homographs--which makes naming the second type a bit confusing. Some language scholars prefer to limit homonym to the third type.

Origin and Etymology of homonym

Latin homonymum, from Greek homōnymon, from neuter of homōnymos

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1697

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Other Language Terms

cognate, collocation

HOMONYM Defined for English Language Learners

homonym

noun

Definition of homonym for English Language Learners

: a word that is spelled and pronounced like another word but is different in meaning

HOMONYM Defined for Kids

homonym

noun hom·onym \ ˈhä-mə-ˌnim , ˈhō-mə- \

Definition of homonym for Students

1 : homophone

2 : homograph

3 : one of two or more words spelled and pronounced alike but different in meaning

The noun “bear” and the verb “bear” are homonyms.

Learn More about homonym

See words that rhyme with homonym Spanish Central: Translation of homonym Nglish: Translation of homonym for Spanish speakers

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homonym

Definition of homonym

homonymic

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HOMONYM Defined for English Language Learners

homonym

Definition of homonym for English Language Learners

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homonym

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homonym

Definition of homonym

homonymic

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Recent Examples of homonym from the Web

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Origin and Etymology of homonym

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HOMONYM Defined for English Language Learners

homonym

Definition of homonym for English Language Learners

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homonym

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