Homonym
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+ | In linguistics, a '''homonym''' is one of a group of words that share the same spelling or pronunciation (or both) but have different meanings. The state of being a homonym is called '''homonymy'''. Examples of homonyms are ''stalk'' (which can mean either part of a plant or to follow someone around) and the trio of words ''to'', ''too'' and ''two'' (actually, ''to'', ''to'', ''too'', ''too'' and ''two'', being "for the purpose of" as in "to make it easier", the opposite of "from", also, excessively, and "2", respectively). Some sources state that homonym meanings must be unrelated in origin (rather than just different). Thus ''right'' (correct) and ''right'' (opposed to left) would be polysemous (see below) and not be homonyms. | ||
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+ | Note that some sources define homonyms as words that are spelled ''and'' pronounced alike. There is a similar confusion about the definition of some of the related terms described below. This article explains what appear to be the "standard" meanings, and variant definitions are then summarised under "Terminological confusion". | ||
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+ | The word "homonym" comes from the conjunction of the Greek prefix ''homo-'' (meaning same) and suffix ''[[-onym]]'' (meaning name). Thus, it refers to two or more distinct words sharing the "same name". | ||
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In linguistics, a homonym is one of a group of words that share the same spelling or pronunciation (or both) but have different meanings. The state of being a homonym is called homonymy. Examples of homonyms are stalk (which can mean either part of a plant or to follow someone around) and the trio of words to, too and two (actually, to, to, too, too and two, being "for the purpose of" as in "to make it easier", the opposite of "from", also, excessively, and "2", respectively). Some sources state that homonym meanings must be unrelated in origin (rather than just different). Thus right (correct) and right (opposed to left) would be polysemous (see below) and not be homonyms.
Note that some sources define homonyms as words that are spelled and pronounced alike. There is a similar confusion about the definition of some of the related terms described below. This article explains what appear to be the "standard" meanings, and variant definitions are then summarised under "Terminological confusion".
The word "homonym" comes from the conjunction of the Greek prefix homo- (meaning same) and suffix -onym (meaning name). Thus, it refers to two or more distinct words sharing the "same name".