Knowledge as context and information structure

Synonyms and Homonyms

What is the meaning of synonyms?

Synonyms are words that are similar, or have a related meaning, to another word. They can be lifesavers when you want to avoid repeating the same word over and over.

Examples of Synonym:

• Hardworking: diligent, determined, industrious, enterprising
• Honest: honorable, fair, sincere, trustworthy
• Funny: humorous, comical, hilarious, hysterical
• Happy: content, joyful, mirthful, upbeat
• Beautiful: attractive, pretty, lovely, stunning

Choosing a Synonym

It is important to consider the connotation of the word because some synonyms can inject a different meaning than what was intended.

For example:
One of synonym for sad is gloomy. This word carries quite a negative connotation. You can use it but, in this instance, if you just want to say that someone is down, then another synonym such as blue or unhappy would be a little less heavy.


What is the meaning of Homonyms?

Homonyms are words that sound or look alike. Pronounced the same as each other (maid and made) or have the same spelling ("lead weight" and "to lead").

Examples of Homonyms:

• pike (the fish) and pike (the weapon). These homonyms are homographs - they have the same spelling.
• bear (the animal) and bare (no clothes). These homonyms are homophones - they have different spellings but the same sound.
• ​site (a location), sight (vision), and cite (to quote). These homonyms are homophones.

Homonyms have two types:

1. Homophones: When homonyms have the same sounds, but different spelling.
2. Homographs: When homonyms have the same spelling and sounds. (But if homographs have the different sounds, they are called heteronyms)

Therefore, it is possible for a homonym to be a homophone (same sound) and a homograph (same spelling). 

Remember this:
Homonyms (homophone, homograph, or heteronym) just only have different meanings. No one has the same meaning.

Examples of homographs (including heteronyms) and homophones.

Homographs (heteronyms)

These are words with the same spelling and souns. But when homographs have different sounds, they are known as "heteronyms."

• Lead (the metal) and lead (which attaches to a dog's collar) 
• ​Tear (water drop from the eye) and tear (a rip)

These homographs are heteronyms. The pronounce are different.

Homographs 

Not all homographs are heteronyms. Some have the same spelling and sound.

• Pike (weapon) and pike (fish) 
• ​Lie (an untruth) and lie (to lie down)

These homographs are not heteronyms. They pronounce are the same.

Homophones

These are words with the same sound but with different spellings:

• place (location) and plaice (the fish)
• pear (fruit) and pair (a couple)
• ​see (to see) and sea (ocean)

Note:

Because many homonyms sound exactly the same, you can use the context (the other words in sentence or conversation) to know which word the speaker is using.

Example:

When you hear "i need some flour. I'm baking a cake" you can guess that the word is flour. Not flower. The context of baking gives you a big clue.



Differences between synonyms and homonyms

Synonyms are type of words that have similar or related meaning, but different spelling and sounds. While homonyms have the same spelling or sounds, but have different meanings. Synonyms refer to the simililar or same meaning of the word. While homonyms refer to the same spelling or pronounce.