Browse

Homographs Worksheets

5 free PDFsUS Letter PDFsAnswer key includedNo login

A list of 14 homographs with both meanings and how to say each one, plus pages for choosing the meaning, choosing the pronunciation, reading dictionary entries and writing sentences.

Download the homographs worksheets

Homographs list

14 homographs, each with both meanings and how to say them.

  • Preview of the printable “Homographs List: 14 pairs with meanings” worksheet: reading 14 homographs, with each meaning and how to say itView larger

    Homographs List: 14 pairs with meanings

    Reading 14 homographs, with each meaning and how to say it

    1 page37 KB

Homographs practice

Choose the meaning, choose the pronunciation, use dictionary entries, and write a sentence for each meaning.

  • Preview of the printable “Homographs: which Meaning?” worksheet: using the sentence to choose the meaning of a homographView all 2 pages

    Homographs: which Meaning?

    Using the sentence to choose the meaning of a homograph

    Answer key on page 2

    2 pages54 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Homographs: how do you say It?” worksheet: choosing how to say a homograph from its meaning in a sentenceView all 2 pages

    Homographs: how do you say It?

    Choosing how to say a homograph from its meaning in a sentence

    Answer key on page 2

    2 pages55 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Homographs in the dictionary” worksheet: using dictionary entries to choose the meaning and pronunciation of a homographView all 2 pages

    Homographs in the dictionary

    Using dictionary entries to choose the meaning and pronunciation of a homograph

    Answer key on page 2

    2 pages57 KB

  • Preview of the printable “Homographs: write it two ways” worksheet: writing sentences that use each meaning of a homographView larger

    Homographs: write it two ways

    Writing sentences that use each meaning of a homograph

    1 page30 KB

Print at 100% (actual size) for the cleanest tracing lines.

About these homographs worksheets

Homographs are words that are spelled the same but have different meanings. Many are also said differently. The wind blows (wind rhymes with pinned), but you wind a clock (rhymes with find). A tear rolls down your cheek, but you tear paper. The only way to know which word you are reading is to read the whole sentence.

Some homographs change which part of the word you say strongly. As a noun, record is said REK-urd (a school record); as a verb, it is rih-KORD (record a song). Present, object, desert and content work the same way. Homographs are different from homophones, which sound the same but are spelled differently (principal and principle).

These homographs worksheets start with a list of 14 homographs, each with both meanings and a pronunciation clue. Children then choose the meaning that fits a sentence, choose how to say a word from its meaning, read dictionary entries for wound, bow, row and close, and write their own sentences for each meaning. Pages with right answers have an answer key on page 2.

Standards

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.5.CUse the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonyms, antonyms, homographs) to better understand each of the words.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.4.AUse context (e.g., cause/effect relationships and comparisons in text) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.4.CConsult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation and determine or clarify the precise meaning of key words and phrases.

How to use them

  1. Read the homographs list out loud together, saying both versions of each word.
  2. Use the which-meaning page first, then the how-do-you-say-it page for the words that change their stress.
  3. Use the dictionary page to show that a dictionary numbers each meaning and gives a pronunciation clue.
  4. Finish with write it two ways: one sentence for each meaning.

Teaching tips

  • Read sentences aloud. A child who says "the WIND-ed path" for a winding path will often hear the mistake.
  • Point out the noun-verb pattern: REK-urd (noun) and rih-KORD (verb), PREZ-unt and prih-ZENT, OB-jekt and ub-JEKT.
  • Keep homographs, homophones and homonyms straight: graph means written, so homographs are written the same; phone means sound, so homophones sound the same.

Questions teachers and parents ask

What is a homograph?

A word that is spelled the same as another word but has a different meaning, and often a different pronunciation, such as wind (moving air) and wind (to turn).

What is the difference between homographs and homophones?

Homographs are spelled the same (lead, lead). Homophones sound the same but are spelled differently (steal, steel).

What are some examples of homographs?

Wind, lead, tear, bow, close, live, minute, record, present, object, desert, content, wound and dove.