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Communicative English

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Communicative English
CHAPTER 1
READING AND VOCABULARY

1.1 BUILDING VOCABULARY FOCUSING ON SYNONYM, ANTONYM
AND HOMONYM

What is a Synonym?

A synonym is a word or expression that has the same or almost the same meaning as another word or expression. The noun “synonym” means “equivalent words”. The word “synonym” is a composite of two Greek words: The prefix “syn” means “together” and “onoma” is “name.” In English, a language known for its enormous vocabulary, most words have synonyms. Words that are synonyms are said to be synonymous, and the state of being a synonym is called synonymy. For example, the word “enormous” has many synonyms: huge, massive, giant, immense.

***Synonyms - together naming the same thing***

Examples and observations:

"Good, excellent, superior, above par, nice, fine, choice, rare, priceless, unparagoned, unparalleled, superfine, superexcellent, of the first water, crack, prime, tip-top, gilt-edged, first-class, capital, cardinal, couleur de rose, peerless, matchless, inestimable, precious as the apple of the eye, satisfactory, fair, fresh, unspoiled, sound. GKN: over 80 companies making steel and steel products." -- (ad campaign for Guest, Keen, & Nettlefolds, Ltd., 1961)

What is an Antonym?

An antonym is a word having a meaning opposite to that of another word. Antonym is the antonym of synonym. Antonymy is the sense relation that exists between words which are opposite in meaning. Words that are antonyms are said to be antonymous.

Examples and observations:

"You always pass failure on the way to success." -- (Mickey Rooney)

"Some have been thought to be brave because they were afraid to run away." --(Thomas Fuller)

"Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer lives are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving." -- (Albert Einstein)

What is Homonym?

Two or more words that

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