SPEAK with understanding
→ Read or Listen to the passage. Locate all of the meanings of the homonym or heteronym. Studying for a test: limit and time your responses to 30-60 seconds.

HETERONYM: BOW

“At the concert, the violinist tightened the strings on her bow before raising it to play a soft melody. The sound filled the hall. When the music ended, she bent forward in a respectful bow, and the audience applauded loudly. Afterward, I walked past a gift shop where colorful bows decorated neatly wrapped boxes, sparkling under the lights. Later that evening, as we left the theater, the captain of a passing ship stood proudly at the bow, waving to the crowd onshore.”

How many meanings did you find?

List of the different ways that this word can be used.

SPEAK w/ P I E

  • Pronunciation

    • Bow (/boʊ/) → sounds like go.

    • Bow (/baʊ/) → sounds like cow.

  • Intonation Practice
    “She played the violin with her bow.”
    “He gave a polite bow on stage.”
    “She tied a red bow on the box.”
    “The sailor stood at the bow of the ship.”

  • Expression Tip
    For bow (/boʊ/), round the lips and hold slightly.
    For bow (/baʊ/), open the mouth wide and say it quickly.

SEVERAL MEANINGS

  1. Bow (/boʊ/) – a curved tool for playing a string instrument.

  2. Bow (/baʊ/) – to bend forward.

  3. Bow (/boʊ/) – a ribbon tied in loops.

  4. Bow (/baʊ/) – the front of a ship.

IDIOMS/EXPRESSION

  • Bow out – withdraw from something.

  • Have many strings to your bow – have many skills.