SAME WORDS: DIFFERENT MEANINGS! (pronunciation AND definition changes!)

Summary

In this lesson, English with Lucy introduces the concepts of homonyms and homographs. Homonyms are words that are spelled and pronounced the same but have different meanings, like 'bark' (tree covering or dog's noise) and 'bat' (animal or sports equipment). Homographs, on the other hand, are words that are spelled the same but pronounced differently, such as 'desert' (arid land) and 'dessert' (sweet dish). Lucy provides numerous examples for each, helping learners grasp these distinctions, and also offers a free PDF and a special promotion for her vocabulary course, making the lesson both informative and interactive.

Takeaways

• 😀 Homonyms are words that are spelled and pronounced the same but have different meanings (e.g., 'bark' as both tree covering and a dog's sound).
• 😀 Homographs are words that are spelled the same but pronounced differently, with different meanings (e.g., 'desert' vs. 'dessert').
• 😀 You can download a free PDF with the lesson's key points, activities, and exercises to help you practice what you’ve learned.
• 😀 The ultimate vocabulary course helps you learn over 650 words, including idioms, collocations, and phrasal verbs.
• 😀 Words like 'bat' can mean both a flying mammal and a sporting equipment used in games like cricket and baseball.
• 😀 'Fine' can mean both being 'okay' or an amount of money you pay when you break the law.
• 😀 The word 'spring' refers to a season, a water source, and even a metal coil.
• 😀 'Match' can be both a sports game and a small stick used to create fire.
• 😀 'Fly' can refer to the action of flying, traveling by plane, or an insect.
• 😀 Some common homographs include 'tear' (a drop of water from your eye) vs. 'tear' (to rip something), and 'record' (a noun for music or data) vs. 'record' (a verb for making copies).

Q & A

What are homonyms and homographs?

Homonyms are words that are spelled and pronounced the same but have different meanings, like 'bark' (tree covering) and 'bark' (dog's noise). Homographs are words that are spelled the same but pronounced differently and have different meanings, such as 'desert' (a dry, barren place) and 'dessert' (a sweet treat).

Can you give an example of homonyms from the script?

An example of homonyms from the script is the word 'bark'. It can refer to the hard covering of a tree or the sound a dog makes.

What does the word 'fine' mean in different contexts?

'Fine' can mean something that is good or acceptable, as in 'I'm fine, thank you'. It can also refer to a monetary penalty you pay for breaking the law, like 'I received a £50 fine for speeding'.

How is the word 'bat' used differently in the script?

'Bat' refers both to an animal (a small flying mammal) and a sporting equipment (a wooden object used to hit a ball in games like baseball or cricket).

What is the difference between the meanings of 'kind' as an adjective and as a noun?

As an adjective, 'kind' means being nice, helpful, and caring (e.g., 'She is a kind person'). As a noun, 'kind' refers to a type or category of something (e.g., 'What kind of fuel should I use?').

What is meant by 'spring' in the script?

'Spring' can refer to the season between winter and summer, a natural source of water, or a metal coil, such as in a mattress or trampoline.

How is 'match' used in different contexts in the lesson?

'Match' can refer to a game or competition (e.g., 'Are you going to watch the match on TV?') or a small stick used to light something, like a candle (e.g., 'I need some matches to light these candles').

What are the different meanings of the word 'mean'?

'Mean' can refer to something that expresses a definition or meaning (e.g., 'What does this word mean?'). It can also describe someone who is unkind or cruel (e.g., 'He was very mean to me').

How is 'stalk' used in the script?

'Stalk' can refer to the long stem of a plant or flower (e.g., 'I need to cut the stalks of these roses'). It can also be used as a verb, meaning to follow someone secretly (e.g., 'He was stalking her').

What is the difference between the words 'desert' and 'dessert'?

'Desert' refers to a dry, barren area with little vegetation, while 'dessert' is the sweet course typically eaten at the end of a meal. They are homographs, spelled the same but pronounced differently.