homonym

The definition of a homonym is a word that has the same pronunciation and sometimes the same spelling as another, but has a different meaning.

(noun)

An example of a homonym is the word "bow" (to bend in respect) and "bow" (the curved piece of wood that is used to shoot an arrow).

See homonym in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a word with the same pronunciation as another but with a different meaning, origin, and, usually, spelling (Ex.: bore and boar); homophone
loosely a homograph
either of two people with the same name; namesake
Biol. a name for a genus, species, etc. unsuitable because already used for another taxonomic classification

Origin: Fr homonyme < L homonymus < Gr homōnymos, having the same name < homos, same + onyma, name

Related Forms:

See homonym in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

One of two or more words that have the same sound and often the same spelling but differ in meaning, such as bank (embankment) and bank (place where money is kept).
a. A word used to designate several different things.
b. A namesake.
Biology A taxonomic name identical to one previously applied to a different species or genus and therefore unacceptable in its new use.

Origin:

Origin: Latin homōnymum

Origin: , from Greek homōnumon

Origin: , from

Origin: neuter of homōnumos, homonymous; see homonymous

Related Forms: