Editor's Corner

Way back in the day, more than five years ago, I did several Editor’s Corner articles on homonyms. According to the dictionary, homonym can mean either:

· One of two or more words pronounced alike, but different in meaning or derivation or spelling (as in to, too, and two) [also known as a homophone]

· One of two or more words spelled alike but different in meaning or derivation or pronunciation (as the bow of a ship, a bow and arrow) [also known as a
homograph]

One of the most common sets of homonyms you’ll see is they’re/their/there.

Today and tomorrow, I will share the list of homonyms and definitions from the group at Daily Writing Tips.

1.
add: increase
ad: abbreviation for advertisement

2.
aid: help
aide: one who helps

3.
block: area bounded by streets, or an obstacle or a solid object
bloc: group with ideas or ideology in common

4.
cannon: piece of artillery
canon: collection of works, or regulation, or standards or rules or a collection of them

5.
canvas: durable, heavy protective material
canvass: debate, examine, or go out in search of responses

6.
chomp: bite down
champ: bite down (same meaning, but idiom is “champ at the bit”)

7.
compliment: praise
complement: complete or enhance

8.
conscious: aware
conscience: adherence to or regard for fairness or moral strength

9.
council: deliberative or legislative body
counsel: legal adviser

10.
discrete: separate
discreet: modest, prudent, unobtrusive

11.
fair: event for entertainment, exhibition, and trade
fare: specific type of food

12.
phase: carry out or introduce a stage, or adjust for synchronicity
faze: disturb

Kara Church

Technical Editor, Advisory

Symitar Documentation Services