What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
namesake
Example
The restaurant was named after its owner, and it became a popular spot for locals. [namesake: noun]
Example
My cousin and I are namesakes because we were both named after our grandfather. [namesake: noun]
Example
The city in France is a namesake of the city in Canada. [namesake: adjective]
homonym
Example
The word 'bat' can mean a flying mammal or a piece of sports equipment. [homonym: noun]
Example
The words 'there', 'their', and 'they're' are homonyms because they sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. [homonyms: plural noun]
Example
The word 'tear' can mean to rip something or a drop of water from your eye. [homograph: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Homonym is a more common word than namesake in everyday language.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between namesake and homonym?
Both namesake and homonym are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
