6/14/14, 1:52 PM GRE Homonyms and Homophones

Page 1 of 2 https://www.msu.edu/~defores1/gre/hom_usg/gre_homn.htm
Homonyms, Homophones, and the GRE
The analogies and antonyms sections of the GRE often contain words that you have never seen before, especially if you haven't
been an especially avid reader. However, other words will look completely familiar and yet you still may have difficulty finding the
correct analogy or antonym. When this happens, stop and ask yourself if the word you're looking at has other definitions than the
one you have in mind. Many words will confuse you not because you've never seen or heard them before, but because they are
similar to or homonyms or homophones for more familiar words.
Homonyms are words that are spelled and/or pronounced alike but have different meanings. Homophones are words that sound
alike (and may be spelled alike) but have different meanings. For example, to bore (as in to cause someone to lose interest) is a
homonym for to bore (to drill a hole). To bore is a homophone for boar (a wild swine). More familiar homophones include to, too,
two; their, there, they're; and its, it's.
Often, the definition you need in order to solve the problem is not the one that first comes to mind. Being ready to switch
definitions quickly is can, therefore, be key to doing well on the analogies and antonyms. For related information on strategies for
solving analogies and antonyms, see the Easily Confused Words and Suffixes pages in this web site.
The list below contains a few homonyms that have appeared on GREs. I will be updating the list with additional homonyms and a
homophones section. Study and learn these and add to the list with other homonyms (and homophones) you come across so they
won't trip you up during the exam.
This list is not exhaustive, nor are all the possible forms and meanings of these words necessarily listed here. For the purposes of
the GRE, however, the given definitions should be sufficient.

Printer Friendly Version
Homonyms
Word Meanings Example of less common meaning
husband 1. n. a male spouse. 2. v. to manage frugally. to
conserve. ___husbandry n. management.
(2) Our mother was so good at husbanding resources that
we never went hungry, even when our parents both lost
their jobs.___This college offers many courses in animal
husbandry.
appropriate 1. adj. correct, proper, or in good taste. 2. v. to
take for one's own use. to take possession of,
without consent
(2) The advancing army appropriated food and other
supplies from the territories they occupied.
ag 1. n. banner. 2. v. to wane or weaken (2) When the runner's strength begins to ag, she walks
for a few minutes, then gradually increases her speed.
fry 1. v. to cook in hot oil. 2. n. baby sh The newborn fry are easy prey to larger sh in the area.
lied 1. v. past tense. to tell an untruth. 2. n. (plural:
lieder) German. a song, lyric, or ballad.
This opera was inspired by a traditional lied.
bore 1. v. to cause one to lose interest. 2. v. to drill a
hole. adj. similar to or pertaining to objects
that drill holes.
Pickleworms bore into the fruit of cucumber and squash
plants to feed on their esh.
die 1. v. to cease to live. 2. n. a mold used for
shaping pieces of metal for incorporation into
tools or other products
(2) These car models are so similar that the same die can
be used for most body parts, such as the doors, hood,
roof, and trunk cover.
sap 1. n. sugary liquid found in trees. 2. v. to
deplete or weaken.
(2) Chronic sleep deprivation will eventually sap the
vitality of those who suffer from it.
wag 1. v. to wave back and forth, as a dog's tail. 2.
n. a joker. someone who keeps people amused
with humorous stories
(2) John's reputation as a wag insured he would be
invited to many parties.
foil 1. n. a thin sheet made of metal. 2. n. a type of (3) She had brought so many obviously unsuitable suitors
Back to Jessica's Home
Back to Main GRE Page
Vocabulary
Easily Confused Words
MSU Learning Resources Center
MSU Test Preparation
Consortium
MSU Home

6/14/14, 1:52 PM GRE Homonyms and Homophones
Page 2 of 2 https://www.msu.edu/~defores1/gre/hom_usg/gre_homn.htm

foil 1. n. a thin sheet made of metal. 2. n. a type of
rapier or sword. foils: the sport or practice of
fencing with such swords. 3. n. a person or
thing used in a comparison in order to make
another person or thing seem superior. 4. v. to
spoil or thwart; to prevent the success of.
(3) She had brought so many obviously unsuitable suitors
home to her parents that they acted as foils; when she
introduced John, he seemed an excellent prospect by
contrast and her parents were happy to agree to the
marriage. (4) The unexpected return of their parents
foiled their plans for a party.
milk 1. n. opaque liquid secreted by the mammary
glands. 2. v. to extract by action similar to
milking. to drain the strength from or exploit.
(2) John became very good at milking his misfortunes for
all the sympathy he could get.
screen 1. n. a at surface on which to project an
image. 2. N. a mesh designed to allow passage
of some things while excluding others, as a
window screen. 3. v. to select some items from
a larger group.
(3) The applicants were screened based on their resumes
before the nalists were selected for interviews.
slight 1. adj. small, as for quantity or amount. 2. n.
an insult or other act showing disrespect. 3. v.
to insult or show disrespect
(3) The director decided to list the actors' names
alphabetically, so as not to slight anyone.
fawn 1. n. a baby deer. 2. v. to behave in an
excessively humble or obsequious manner.
(2)Charlie always fawned over his professors so much
that all the other students disliked him.
strut 1. v. to walk in such a way as to show great
pride or condence. 2. n. a support for an
airplane wing or other projecting part.
(2) Because the struts were made of inferior material, the
wings of that plane became unstable.
mufer 1. n. an object for suppressing noise. 2. n. a
scarf worn around the neck for warmth.
(2) Our mother would never let us leave the house
without our mufers and mittens in the winter.
hack 1. v. to chop. 2. n. a bad or unoriginal writer. (2) Even though he worked for the New York Times, he
always felt like a hack.
temper 1. n. emotional state or anger, as in "she has
quite a temper." 2. v. to moderate or to
strengthen.
(2) She tried to remember to temper her words so as not
to offend her listeners.
lumber 1. n. wood used for building. 2. v. to move
heavily or without grace.
(2) The Frankenstein monster lumbered toward the little
girl.

Homophones[1]
Word Meanings Example
waver v. vacillate or move back and forth

waiver n. release or special exemption from a rule Most of the students tried to get waivers of their overdue
nes.
wave n. a moving swell on the surface of a body of
water. v. to sweep the hand or arm or some
object.

waive (see waiver) v. to relinquish We refuse to waive the reading of the indictment.
chorale n. a type of hymn (sung) or a choir

corral n. a fenced enclosure for cattle or horses. v. to
herd cattle or horses (or people) into one place
Maimie always corraled Marnie into serving as secretary
for the meetings.
[1] Meanings and./or examples only given when confusion might otherwise arise.
Copyright Jessica DeForest, 2000. All rights reserved