Synonyms, Antonyms & Phonological Features
English Language: AQA A Level, topic 1.2.14
Lexis - Synonyms and Antonyms
Some lexis you will encounter will have similar spellings and sounds.
Synonyms
- Synonyms are words that have the same meaning but are different words.
- For example, the synonyms of beautiful are pretty, attractive and handsome.
Antonyms
- Antonyms are words that mean the opposite (think antagonist).
- For example, the antonyms of beautiful are ugly, horrible and disgusting.
Phonology - Homophones, Homographs and Homonyms
Some words you will encounter will have similar spellings and sounds.
Homophones
- The ‘-phone’ morpheme means sound.
- So this lexeme describes words with the same sound.
- For example: there, their and they’re.
Homophones - examples
- I will accept the offer, except for the final term.
- Accept and except are homophones as they sound the same.
- That bear is in bare clothing.
- Bear and bare are homophones as they sound the same.
- I pray that I do not become prey.
- Pray and prey are homophones as they sound the same.
Homographs
- The ‘-graph’ morpheme means written.
- So this lexeme describes words with the same spelling.
- For example, read in ‘I read that book’ and ‘I like to read’.
Homographs - examples
- 'She is minute' and 'I will be ready in one minute'.
- Minute means tiny and a minute is a unit of time.
- 'Please bow for the queen' and 'have you seen my hunting bow?'
- To bow means to courtesy and a bow is a weapon.
- 'I use hair straighteners every day' and 'straightening hair is only one use of hair straighteners'.
- To use is a verb; use is also a noun.
Homonyms
- The ‘-nym’ morpheme means everything.
- So this lexeme describes words with everything the same.
- For example, the two meanings of ‘can’ in the sentence ‘I can throw that can in the bin’.
Homonyms - examples
- 'I saw a bat' and 'have you seen my baseball bat?'
- A bat is an animal as well as a piece of sports equipment.
- 'I shall wave goodbye' and 'that is an enormous wave'.
- A wave is a hand gesture and sea water coming into shore.
- 'It is such a bright day' and 'she is so bright'.
- Bright means very light and intelligent.
Test yourself on Synonyms, Antonyms & Phonological Features
Which word is an antonym for 'fat'?
Which word is a synonym for 'arrogance'?
Which of these are antonyms for crazy?
Which of these are synonyms for basic?
What are 'tied' and 'tide'?