You will need to make yourself familiar with homonyms for the ASVAB. Some words in the English language are spelled the same but have two or more meanings. For example, a fluke can mean a fish, the end parts of an anchor, the fins on a whale’s tail, or a stroke of luck.
Some words are spelled the same but have different meanings and are often pronounced differently. The word bow, meaning a special kind of knot, is pronounced differently from bow, meaning to bend at the waist. Bow, meaning the front of a boat, is pronounced the same as bow (bend at the waist), but bow, meaning a weapon, is pronounced the same as bow (a special knot).
Other words are pronounced the same but are spelled differently and mean something different. To, too, and two and there, their, and there are examples. All these types of words are collectively known as homonyms.
The last type of homonym is especially important when it comes to the Word Knowledge subtest of the ASVAB. The test makers won’t try to trick you by having two homonym answers for words that are spelled the same but have multiple possible answers, but they will use homonyms that are spelled differently and have different meanings.
Flue most nearly means:
(A)sickness
(B)fly
(C)chimney
(D)None of the above
You may be tempted to choose Choice (A), but that would be correct if flu were the test word. The past tense of fly is flew. The word flue means a chimney pipe.
You can see an extensive list of homonyms on Alan Cooper’s Homonym Page.
Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
---|---|---|
Allowed | Permitted | He allowed the audience to participate. |
Aloud | Normal volume of speaking | They couldn’t speak aloud in the library. |
Cent | A bronze coin | I couldn’t believe I got the comic book for just one cent. |
Scent | Aroma | The scent coming from the kitchen made my mouth water. |
Sent | Past tense of send | He sent the letter Monday. |
Cue | Stimulus to action | A door slamming was his cue to exit the stage. |
Queue | Line | There was a large queue of cars waiting to park. |
Die | To cease living | I’ll die if my parents find out! |
Dye | To color or stain | She wants to dye her hair red. |
Elicit | To draw or bring out | He vowed to elicit the truth from his friend. |
Illicit | Unlawful | He used illicit means to avoid paying taxes. |
Fairy | Supernatural being | The fairy was dancing in the night. |
Ferry | A boat for crossing rivers or other small bodies of water | The ferry took us quickly across the river. |
Gorilla | Large ape | I threw the gorilla a banana. |
Guerrilla | Irregular soldier | The band of guerrillas attacked the convoy. |
Hangar | Building for airplanes | Jack pulled the aircraft into the hangar. |
Hanger | A device for hanging things | Mom said to put the shirt on a hanger. |
It’s | Contraction of it is | It’s a very hot day. |
Its | Possessive pronoun | The bank said its savings accounts were the best. |
Know | To possess knowledge | I know you went to the store. |
No | Zero or negative | I told John there was no way we would travel together. |
Lessen | To make less | We gave him medicine to lessen his pain. |
Lesson | Something to be learned | We must never forget the lessons of the past. |
Postal delivery | I expected the check to be in the mail. | |
Male | A gender | The teacher asked all males to go to one room and all females to go to another. |
Naval | Pertaining to ships | He wanted to become a naval officer. |
Navel | Belly button | Mom always said not to play with my navel. |
Ordinance | Decree or local law | Spitting on the sidewalk was against the town ordinance. |
Ordnance | Military ammunition | We were running low, so we asked the sergeant for more ordnance. |
Patience | The ability to suppress restlessness | I couldn’t believe her patience with the students. |
Patients | People under medical care | The nurse treated all her patients with respect. |
Reek | Bad smell | The reek of the skunk invaded the living room. |
Wreak | Inflict | Jack continued to wreak havoc every time he got upset. |
Sleight | Dexterity | The magician’s sleight of hand was amazing. |
Slight | Small amount | There was only a slight increase in salaries this year. |
Threw | Propelled by hand | He threw the ball to first base. |
Through | In one side and out the other | Dad drove through the tunnel. |
Vary | Change | The interest rate continues to vary up and down. |
Very | Extreme | I am very happy on the beach. |
Weak | Not strong | After his illness, Paul was very weak. |
Week | Seven days | It’ll take at least a week to finish this report. |
Your | Belongs to you | Your new car is really cool. |
You’re | Contraction of you are | You’re going to be in trouble when Dad gets home. |