Homonyms are words that sound alike (and may be spelled alike) but have different meanings. They can create ambiguity in language because the same word can refer to different things depending on context. There are two main types of homonyms:
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Homographs: Words that are spelled the same but have different meanings, and may or may not be pronounced the same. For example:
- "Lead" (to guide) vs. "Lead" (a type of metal).
- "Tear" (to rip) vs. "Tear" (a drop of liquid from the eye).
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Homophones: Words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings. For example:
- "To" (a preposition), "two" (the number), and "too" (also).
- "Flour" (used in baking) vs. "Flower" (a blooming plant).
In summary, homonyms are words that can create confusion because they sound or look similar but have distinct meanings.