Homographs and Homophones


created by A. Terry Bahill and colleagues

Here are some homographs; words that are spelled the same, but have different pronunciations and meanings.

The dove dove into the deep grass.

His forte is playing forte.

I could close the door, because I was close to it.

I will wind my watch when the wind blows.

I will present my present wife with a present.

I did not object to that object.

The torniquet was wound above the wound.

The landfill was so full it had to refuse refuse.

The invalid's handicap parking permit was invalid.

Being alone in the desert, the soldier decided to desert.

The hunter does devious things to attract bucks, but not does.

A farm can produce produce.

You may resume writing your résumé.

I will lead you to the lead mine.

At the house where the cat with nine lives lives, the servants who are Polish polish the silverware best.

This one cheats a little:
It is illegal to hunt javelina with a javelin.


Some other candidates: bass, bow, do, read, row, sow, tear.

 

Homographs should not be confused with the more common homophones;

words that are pronounced the same, but have different spellings or derivations.

Good night my brave knight.

Which doctor is the witch doctor?

Your prints of the prince will be developed tomorrow.

Principal engineers should have good principles (Patrick Harris).

In the fall, the leaves leave their branches.

In the fall, when the leaves begin to fall, I will leave on vacation (Pitu Mirchandani)

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

When the news breaks, we fix it (The Daily Show).

The're there for their mare (John Semmlow).

Time flies like an arrow and fruit flies like a banana.