Common Homophones - West Ada School District



Homophones

Often the terms homonym, homophone and homograph are used interchangeably. The following definitions should help clarify the differences between the three.

Definitions

Homophone: One of two or more words pronounced alike, but different in

spelling or meaning (e.g. to, too, two). Homonyms and

homographs are both types of homophones.

Homonym: One of two or more words spelled and pronounced alike, but different in meaning (e.g. cleave, which can mean to cut and to adhere).

Homograph: One of two or more words spelled alike but different in meaning or pronunciation (e.g. the bow of a ship, a bow and arrow).

As requested by teachers, here is a list of common homophones. Teachers are not expected to teach the words from this list; rather, this list is for reference only. Please see the district-adopted materials for specific grade-level homonyms.

already, all ready Already is an adverb that tells when. All ready

is a phrase meaning “completely ready.”

ant, aunt An ant is an insect. An aunt is a female relative, the sister of a mother or father. Regional dialect can change the pronunciation of aunt.

bare, bear The adjective bare means “naked.” A bear is a large animal with shaggy hair.

base, bass Base is a foundation or the lower part of something.

Bass (pronounced “base”) is a deep sound or tone or an instrument having a deep sound or tone. Bass (rhymes with “mass”) is a fish.

board, bored A board is a piece of wood. Board also refers to a group or council that helps run an organization. Bored means “to become weary or tired of something.” It can also mean “a hole made by drilling.”

brake, break A brake is a device used to stop a vehicle. The verb break means “to crack, split or destroy”. The noun break refers to a gap or interruption.

by, buy, bye By is a preposition meaning near or not later than.

Buy is a verb meaning to purchase. Bye is the position of being automatically advanced to the next round of a competition without playing. Bye is also a clipped version of “good-bye.”

capital, capitol Capital can be either a noun, referring to a city or money, or an adjective, meaning “important” or “major.” Capitol is used when talking about a building.

cent, sent, scent Cent refers to money (1/100th 0f a dollar), sent is past tense of the verb “send”, and scent is a smell.

complement, Complement means “to complete or go with.”

compliment Compliment is an expression of admiration or praise.

counsel, council Counsel as a noun means “advice” and as a verb,

means “to advise.” A council is a group that advises.

die, dye Die is a verb meaning “to stop living”, while dye is used to change the color of something.

for, four For is a preposition meaning “because of” or “directed to.” Four is the number 4.

hear, here Hear is a verb meaning to recognize sound. Here is the opposite of there and means “nearby.”

heard, herd Heard is the past tense of the verb “to hear.” Herd is a group of animals.

hole, whole Hole is a hollow place. Whole means “entire or complete.”

it’s, its It’s is the contraction of “it is.” Its is the possessive form of “it.”

knew, new Knew is past tense of the verb know. New means “recent” or “modern.”

know, no Know means “to recognize and understand” while no means “the opposite of yes.”

lead, led Lead /lēd/ is a present tense verb meaning “to guide.” Led /lĕd/ is past tense of the verb lead. The noun lead /lĕd/ is the metal.

loose, lose Loose /lüs/ means “free or untied”. Lose /lōōs/ means to “misplace” or “fail to win.”

morning, mourning Morning refers to the first part of the day. Mourning means “showing sorrow.”

pair, pare, pear A pair is a couple, pare is a verb meaning “to peel”, and pear is the fruit.

past, passed Passed is always a verb, the past tense of pass. Past can be used as a noun, an adjective, or as a preposition.

A motorcycle passed our car. (verb)

I cannot forget the past. (noun)

In my past life I was a dog. (adjective)

He drove right past the house. (preposition)

peace, piece Peace means “harmony” or “free from war.” Piece is a section or part of something.

peak, peek, pique Peak is the highpoint of a mountain. Peek means “a quick look.” The verb pique means to “create interest” as in “The movie poster piqued my curiosity.” The noun pique means “a feeling of resentment” as in “In a pique, she marched away from her teasing sisters.”

principal, principle Principal is an adjective meaning “primary” or a noun referring to a school administrator or sum of money. Principle is an idea or doctrine.

red, read Red is a color; read pronounced the same way, is the past tense of the verb meaning ”to understand the meaning of written words and symbols.

right, rite, write Right is the direction opposite of left, and is used to refer to a legal claim. Right also means “correct or proper.” It is also the opposite of wrong. Write is a verb meaning “to record in print.” Rite is a ritual or ceremonial act.

sew, so, sow Sew is the verb meaning “to stitch.” So is a conjunction meaning “in order that.” Sow is the verb meaning “to plant.

sight, cite, site Sight means “the act of seeing.” Cite means “to quote or refer to.” A site is a location or position.

stationary, stationery Stationary means “not moveable.” Stationery refers to paper and envelopes use to write letters.

than, then Than is used to make a comparison. Then tells when.

their, there, they’re Their is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership.

There is an adverb that tells where. They’re is the contraction for they are.

to, too, two To is the preposition that can mean “in the direction of.” Too means also or is an adverb meaning “very or excessive.” Two is the number 2.

vary, very Vary means “to change.” Very can be used as an adjective meaning “in the fullest sense” or “complete.” Very can also be used as an adverb meaning “extremely.”

waist, waste Waist is the part of the body just above the hips. Waste is the verb meaning “to wear away” or “use carelessly.” Waste is also a noun referring to unusable or left over material.

ware, wear, where Ware means “a product to be sold. Wear means “to have on or carry on one’s body.” Where asks the question “in what place or in what situation?”

(List and definitions source: Kemper, Dave, et al. Write Source. Wilmington, MA: 2005. 652-686.)

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download