Today we are going to look at 20 examples of heteronyms with sentences to better our English! Boost your vocab and have fun at the same time! As always, it is a very good idea to read and repeat all the words and sentences in this article. It will help you to get comfortable with how they are spoken. Let’s jump into it!
What are heteronyms?
Before we look at all our examples of heteronyms, let’s go over what they actually are: Heteronyms are words that have the same spelling but different meanings and pronunciations. For example, “lead” can mean to guide (/liːd/) or a type of metal (/lɛd/). They’re useful in learning English because they illustrate the complexity and richness of the language. Practicing heteronyms helps improve reading and comprehension skills. They also make you more aware of context clues. Knowing them can aid in better pronunciation and understanding of different meanings. This practice enriches vocabulary and makes communication more effective. So, mastering heteronyms is a fun and engaging way to enhance your English skills!
Examples of heteronyms
Here are our examples of heteronyms. You will find 20 of them here. To help you remember them, it would be useful to read them all out loud. If you are unsure of the pronunciations, check out this guide.
| Examples of Heteronyms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Row | A line of things /roʊ/ | A fight or dispute /raʊ/ |
| Lead | To guide /liːd/ | A type of metal /lɛd/ |
| Bow | A type of knot /boʊ/ | To bend forward /baʊ/ |
| Tear | To rip /tɛr/ | A drop of liquid from the eye /tɪər/ |
| Wound | An injury /wuːnd/ | To wrap around /waʊnd/ |
| Bass | A type of fish /bæs/ | A low, deep voice or tone /beɪs/ |
| Minute | 60 seconds /ˈmɪnɪt/ | Very small /maɪˈnjuːt/ |
| Does | Female deer /doʊz/ | Performs an action /dʌz/ |
| Wind | Movement of air /wɪnd/ | To turn or twist /waɪnd/ |
| Live | To be alive /lɪv/ | Broadcast in real time /laɪv/ |
| Desert | To abandon /dɪˈzɜrt/ | A dry, sandy region /ˈdɛzɜrt/ |
| Close | To shut /kloʊz/ | Near /kloʊs/ |
| Sow | To plant seeds /soʊ/ | Female pig /saʊ/ |
| Resign | To quit a position /rɪˈzaɪn/ | To sign again /ˌriːˈsaɪn/ |
| Contest | A competition /ˈkɒntɛst/ | To dispute /kənˈtɛst/ |
| Present | A gift /ˈprɛzənt/ | To show or display /prɪˈzɛnt/ |
| Object | A thing /ˈɒbdʒɪkt/ | To disagree /əbˈdʒɛkt/ |
| Refuse | Trash /ˈrɛfjuːs/ | To decline /rɪˈfjuːz/ |
| Associate | A partner or colleague /əˈsoʊsiɪt/ | To connect in the mind /əˈsoʊsiˌeɪt/ |
| Attribute | A quality or feature /ˈætrɪˌbjuːt/ | To assign /əˈtrɪˌbjuːt/ |
Related: 100 Examples Of Subordinating Conjunctions In Sentences!
Examples of heteronyms with sentences
Now that we have gone over our 20 examples of heteronyms, let’s check out some sentences with them in natural English. As there are 20 heteronyms, that will make 40 sentences in total. Let’s begin expanding our English vocabulary!
- The row of chairs was perfectly aligned for the event.
- They had a heated row over the new policy!
- Mary likes to lead the team during projects.
- This pipe is made of lead.
- He tied a perfect bow on the birthday gift.
- She took a bow after her stellar performance.
- Please don’t tear the pages of this book.
- A tear rolled down her cheek as she read the letter.
- The doctor treated the wound carefully.
- She wound the scarf around her neck.
- The fisherman caught a large bass in the lake.
- The singer’s bass voice resonated through the hall.
- We have exactly one minute to finish the test.
- The particles were so minute they were almost invisible.
- Does are often seen grazing in the field.
- He does his homework daily.
- The cool wind blew through the open window.
- You need to wind the clock every day.
- They plan to live in a new city next year.
- The concert was broadcast live on television.
Related: 50 Fun Examples Of Ending A Sentence With A Preposition
Examples of heteronyms with sentences: part 2
Here is the final part of our examples of heteronyms with sentences:
- He felt betrayed when his friend decided to desert him.
- The Sahara is the world’s largest hot desert.
- Please close the door quietly.
- The store is very close to our house.
- Farmers sow seeds in the spring.
- The sow fed her piglets in the barn.
- She decided to resign from her job.
- He had to resign the contract after changes were made.
- The winner of the contest was announced.
- Politicians sometimes contest the results of elections.
- She received a beautifully wrapped present.
- He was asked to present his findings to the class.
- The object in the box was a rare artifact.
- I must object to that plan; it’s too risky.
- The garbage was full of refuse from last night’s party!
- She will refuse any offer that does not meet her expectations.
- He’s a business associate of mine.
- I associate summer with fun and freedom.
- Her honesty is an admirable attribute.
- He wanted to attribute the success to teamwork.
FAQs related to heteronyms
Here are some commonly asked questions when it comes to heteronyms:
Why does one word have different meanings?
One word can have different meanings because of language evolution. Over time, new uses for words develop. For example, “lead” can mean to guide or a type of metal. Context helps readers understand the correct meaning. This makes language versatile but also complex.
Is English the only language with heteronyms?
No, English isn’t the only language with heteronyms. Many languages have words that look alike but mean different things. For example, in Mandarin Chinese, “行” can mean to walk or a row. Spanish also has heteronyms like “banco,” which means bank or bench. Different languages share this feature.
Why do so many English words have double meanings?
Many English words have double meanings due to historical influences. The language borrowed words from various languages like Latin, French, and German. Over time, these words evolved and took on multiple meanings. Context determines their usage. This diversity adds depth but can also confuse learners.
Examples of heteronyms: an efficient way to boost your vocab!
I hope that you have enjoyed reading through and learning these 20 examples of heteronyms today! Which one was most surprising to you? Learning heteronyms is an efficient and time-saving way to improve your vocabulary. These words share the same spelling but have different meanings and pronunciations. This helps you understand context better. When you practice heteronyms, you boost both reading and speaking skills. It makes you more aware of how words function in sentences. This awareness helps with comprehension and pronunciation. The variety in meanings adds depth to your vocabulary. You also become better at picking up context clues. Overall, mastering heteronyms is a quick and engaging way to enhance your English skills. Plus, it makes learning fun!