homograph: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Academic / Technical
Quick answer
What does “homograph” mean?
A word that is spelled the same as another word but has a different meaning and possibly a different pronunciation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A word that is spelled the same as another word but has a different meaning and possibly a different pronunciation.
In linguistics, homographs belong to a set of words with identical written forms but distinct etymologies, meanings, or pronunciations, often leading to puns and ambiguity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The concept is identical.
Connotations
Purely technical and neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both, confined to specific discussions about language.
Grammar
How to Use “homograph” in a Sentence
The word X is a homograph of Y.The words 'lead' (metal) and 'lead' (guide) are homographs.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “homograph” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- This is a homograph pair.
- The homograph relationship is clear.
American English
- It's a homograph example.
- They have a homograph issue.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in marketing copy about branding or naming.
Academic
Common in linguistics, literature, and language teaching textbooks and discussions.
Everyday
Very rare. Most non-specialists would use 'words that are spelled the same' instead.
Technical
The primary domain of use. Used precisely in computational linguistics, lexicography, and grammar.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “homograph”
- Using 'homograph' to mean 'homophone' (words that sound the same).
- Misspelling as 'homagraph'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Homographs are spelled the same but may sound different (e.g., lead/lead). Homophones sound the same but are spelled differently (e.g., sea/see).
Yes, traditionally, homographs are a subset of homonyms (words with the same spelling OR pronunciation). However, in precise terminology, homonyms are often defined as words that are both homophones AND homographs (same spelling AND sound, like 'bat' the animal and 'bat' for baseball).
They are a common source of confusion and ambiguity. Recognising them helps with accurate pronunciation (e.g., 'desert' vs 'desert') and comprehension, especially in reading without phonetic clues.
Yes, this is the definition of a homonym in its strictest sense. The word 'bank' (financial institution) and 'bank' (river side) are both spelled and pronounced the same, making them perfect homonyms and, by definition, both homographs and homophones of each other.
A word that is spelled the same as another word but has a different meaning and possibly a different pronunciation.
Homograph is usually formal / academic / technical in register.
Homograph: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɒm.ə.ɡrɑːf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɑː.mə.ɡræf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be a homograph for...”
- “A textbook case of a homograph”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HOMOGRAPH = HOMO (same) + GRAPH (writing). Think of 'same writing'.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDENTICAL TWINS WITH DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES (same appearance, different essence).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following pairs is a true homograph?