Homonyms, homophones and homographs can bring confusion to even adults and

teachers! VocabularySpellingCity can help anyone master these word groups. For
clarity, weve brought them all together on one page. It makes it easier to learn the
difference among the three types of words using the definitions and homonyms,
homophones and homographs examples below.

Homonyms

Homophones

Homographs & Heteronyms

Same spelling,
different pronunciation,
different meanings

Multiple meaning words

Words that sound alike

the spruce tree

to spruce up

addition for math

edition of a book

desert = abandon
desert = area of land

suit yourself
wore a suit

I want to go
I like it too
One plus one is two

bass = fish
bass = instrument

weigh on the scale

scale the wall

capitol building
state capital

close = nearby
close = to shut

the price is fair

go to the fair

pick a flower
bake with flour

bow = to bend down

bow = ribbon

Homonyms, or multiple meaning words, are words that share the same spelling
and the same pronunciation but have different meanings. For example, bear.

A bear (the animal) can bear (tolerate) very cold temperatures.

The driver turned left (opposite of right) and left (departed from) the main road.

Homonyms Lists
Multiple Meaning Words (K-2)
10 List(s)Import Group
Multiple-Meaning Words (3-5)
11 List(s)Import Group
Multiple-Meaning Words (6-8)
11 List(s)Import Group
Multiple Meaning Words (9-12)
10 List(s)Import Group

Homophones, also known as sound-alike words, are words that are pronounced
identically although they have different meanings and often have different spellings as
well. These words are a very common source of confusion when writing. Common
examples of sets of homophones include: to, too, and two; theyre and their; bee and
be; sun and son; which and witch; and plain and plane. VocabularySpellingCity is a
particularly useful tool for learning to correctly use and spell the soundalike words.

The toys are over there on the floor.

The wind gust blew away their papers.

Did they say theyre coming to my party?

Homophones Lists
Homophones (1-2)
4 List(s)Import Group
Homophones (3-5)
9 List(s)Import Group
Homophones (6-8)
6 List(s)Import Group
Homophones (9-12)
7 List(s)Import Group

Homographs are words that are spelled the same, but have different meanings and are
often pronounced differently as well. Some examples of homographs are:

bass as in fish vs bass as in music

bow as in arrow vs bow as in bending or taking a bow at the end of a

performance

close as in next to vs close as in shut the door

desert as in dry climate vs desert as in leaving alone

Currently, VocabularySpellingCity cannot distinguish between homographs, as we are

unable to have two pronounciations for the exact same word. We are looking for
possibilities in the future.

Heteronyms or heterophones have the same spelling, different pronunciations, and

different meanings. All heteronyms are homographs, but not all homographs are
heteronyms. See why this concept can be so confusing to learn?

Wind: I need to wind the alarm clock so I can fly my kite in the early morning
gusty wind.

Record: Please record the program when they try to beat the world record for
word nerdiness.

Excuse: Please excuse this poor excuse for art.