what is a homograph

A homograph is a word that has the same spelling as another word but a different meaning, and sometimes a different pronunciation.

Basic idea

• Homographs are “same spelling, different meaning” words.

• They may share pronunciation (like bat : animal vs. baseball bat) or differ in pronunciation (like lead metal vs. lead to guide).

Simple examples

• Bow :
  • The front of a ship.

* What you use with arrows.

• Lead :
  • A type of metal.

* To guide someone.

• Desert :
  • Dry, sandy land.

* To abandon someone.

In each case the spelling is the same, but the meaning changes depending on context in the sentence.