The Use of Antonym, Idiom, Homonym, and Hyponym in Teaching Vocabulary

Background of the study

According to Manser (1995: 461), Vocabulary is the total number of words in a language.
Whereas further Hidayati (2007: 7) states that vocabulary is words that are taught in a foreign
language. This opinion, can conclude that vocabulary is a list of all words taught in a foreign
language. Vocabulary that refers to words that need to be understood to communicate effectively
by searching for vocabulary from antonyms, idioms, hyponyms, and homonyms.

There are many reasons that strengthen to give instructions to build vocabulary, not only
that there is more important than the contribution of vocabulary knowledge to reading
comprehension. One of them is the discovery when reading to what extent vocabulary
knowledge will be related to reading comprehension. As to provide the skills and strategies
needed for the development of a lifetime vocabulary of someone who learns it. By describing 4
vocabulary components, it is one of the vocabulary knowledge that is closely related to reading
comprehension. This relationship gets the meaning of what has been read, requires many words
in vocabulary and the ability to use various words. In this case developing vocabulary, good
readers read more, become better readers, and learn more words, so bad readers read less,
become worse readers, and learn fewer words.

Thus, the vocabulary of the 4 components is a bridge between word-level processes and
understanding processes. Because there are a number of words that need to be known so that
they can be read with understanding. This is the vocabulary in the broad sense.

Question of the Study

1. How the use of antonym, idiom, hyponym, and homonym in vocabulary?

Methodology

1. Antonym
An antonym is a word that is opposite in context of another word although
similar in other respects. Antonyms are most likely verbs, adjectives and adverbs, with
few nouns suitable as true antonyms. Most words can have more than one antonym.
Antonym is the relation that exists between words which are opposite. Our day to day
 life is full of antonyms; from the ‘stop’ and ‘go’ of a road traffic signal to side-by-side
restroom doors labeled ‘him’ and ‘her.’
2. Idioms
Idiom is A manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language.
Every language has its own collection of wise sayings. They offer advice about how to
live and also transfer some underlying ideas, principles and values of a given culture /
society. These sayings are called "idioms" - or proverbs if they are longer. These
combinations of words have (rarely complete sentences) a "figurative meaning"
meaning, they basically work with "pictures". This List of commonly used idioms and
sayings (in everyday conversational English), can help to speak English by learning
English idiomatic expressions.
3. Homonym
A homonym is a word that has the same spelling and the same pronunciation as
another word but which has a meaning different from it. In other words, a way to
identify a homonym is to look out for words with the same spellings and same
pronunciation but which usually have different meanings.
4. Hyponym
A hyponym is a word that represents different categories covered by a super
ordinate.  hyponym is a term used to designate a particular member of a broader class.
For instance, daisy and rose are hyponyms of flower. Also called a subtype or
a subordinate term. Adjective: hyponymic.

Discussion

1. Antonym

Types of Antonym

1.1 Graded Antonyms

Graded antonyms use words having variations between two opposites. For instance, the
words “big” and “little” are opposite; however, they can use a variety of other words with
opposite meanings such as:

1. Big, bulky, full-size, huge / petite, slight, and little

 2. Smart, clever, canny, bright / stupid, dim, obtuse, foolish, unwise
3. Happy, pleased, joyful, ecstatic / sad, gloomy, dejected, miserable

1.2 Relational or Converse Antonyms

Relational antonyms use word pairs having a close relationship in which each word cannot
exist without the other, or one word has only a single relational opposite. For example:

1. Front-back
2. Open-close
3. Hello-goodbye

1.3 Complimentary Antonyms

Complimentary antonyms use word pairs that are absolute opposites. They can independently
exist without each other, such as a daughter is not the complimentary opposite of a son in the
family. Similarly girls can exist without their complimentary opposites, boys. Some of these are
given below:

1. True-false
2. Dead-alive
3. On-off

Example sentences

1. Are you going going or staying?

2. Is that bread hard or soft?
3. When I asked you to scout for a basketball player, I thought you’d find a tall guy, not a
short guy.
4. Open the door and let him in, or keep the door closed and send him away.

2. Homonym

A homonym is a word that has the same spelling and the same pronunciation as another word
but which has a meaning different from it. In other words, a way to identify a homonym is to
look out for words with the same spellings and same pronunciation but which usually have
different meanings. Let us see some examples:

BILL
Bill – this is a noun that means “money owed for goods or services supplied or a written or
printed account or statement of money owed”. It also means a printed or written advertisement
for a program, event, concert, show, etc. Look at these sentences:
 He requested his bill from the waiter.
 We distributed the handbills for the concert.
Bill – this is also a noun that means the beak of a bird, that is, the projecting jaws of a bird,
covered with a horny sheath. E. g.
 The cormorant has a hooked bill.
 The pelican picked the fish with its large bill.
FAIR
Fair – this is an adjective that means attractive or beautiful to look at, light in colour. It also
means just, impartial, free from discrimination or dishonesty. E. g.
 She is a fair woman.
 It is a fair weather.
 The decision of the judge was fair enough.
Fair – in this regard, the word fair, which is a noun, means a travelling entertainment with
sideshows, rides, etc. that visits different places from time to time. It also means an exhibition, a
regular assembly at a specific place for the sale of goods, etc.
 I got the journal at the university book fair.
 The child won big balloons at the fair.

3. Idioms
English Idioms with Common Verbs
1. Hit the books
Literally, hit the books means to physically hit, punch or slap your reading books.
However, this is a common English idiom among students, especially American college
students who have a lot of studying to do. It simply means “to study,” and is a way of
telling your friends that you’re going to study.
It could be for a final exam, a midterm test or even an English exam.
“Sorry but I can’t watch the game with you tonight, I have to hit the books. I have a huge
exam next week!”

English Idioms with Common Prepositions

Prepositions are words that indicate where one thing is in relation to another. These
include the words up, on and over as you’ll see in the idioms below.
1. Up in the air

When we literally think about something being up in the air, we have the idea that
something’s floating or flying in the sky, perhaps an airplane or a balloon. But really if
someone tells you that things are up in the air it means that these things are uncertain or
unsure. Definite plans have not been made yet.
“Jen, have you set a date for the wedding yet?”
“Not exactly, things are up in the air and we’re not sure if our families can make it on the
day we wanted. Hopefully we’ll know soon and we’ll let you know as soon as possible.”

Cash and Money Idioms in English

1. Look like a million dollars/bucks

Wouldn’t it be great if we really could look like a million dollars? We’d be rich, but

that’s not the case. If someone tells you that you look like a million bucks, you should
take it as a huge compliment because it means you look absolutely fabulous and really
attractive.

While sometimes we use this English idiom for guys, it’s more commonly used to
compliment females. And while some of your female friends may look beautiful every
day, you should save this English idiom for when they’ve really made an effort and it’s a
special occasion, like prom or a wedding.
 “Wow, Mary, you look like a million dollars/bucks this evening. I love your dress!”
Body Part Idioms in English

1. Rule of thumb

Can thumbs rule or can you literally rule a thumb? If you think about it logically, it
means absolutely nothing and makes no sense. However, if you hear someone say as a
rule of thumb, they mean that it’s a general unwritten rule for whatever they’re talking
about.
These rules of thumb are not based on science or research, and are instead just
general principles. For example, there’s no written scientific rule that you must add oil to
boiling water when cooking pasta, but it’s a rule of thumb and is practiced by most
people so the pasta won’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
“As a rule of thumb you should always pay for your date’s dinner.”
“Why? There’s no rule stating that!”
“Yes, but it’s what all gentlemen do.”

4. Hyponym

HYPONYM EXAMPLES
Of course, linguists don’t limit themselves to the natural world. You can find hypernyms
and hyponyms in countless groups of words, from the concrete to the abstract, from
nouns to verbs, and from the simple to the complex.
See below for a few examples of hypernyms and hyponyms:
 diamond, emerald, and ruby are hyponyms of the word gemstone
 poker, roulette, and craps are hyponyms of game
 cyan, navy, and ultramarine are hyponyms of blue (which, in turn, is a hyponym of the
word color)
 fork, knife, and spoon are hyponyms of utensil
 MORE ABOUT HYPERNYMS AND HYPONYMS

 Hyponyms don’t have to be nouns. Other parts of speech can be hyponyms, too. For
example, the words roast, parboil, and sear are all hyponyms of the verb to cook.
 Not every group of hyponyms has a hypernym. For example, English doesn’t have a
higher-level word that refers specifically to aunt and uncle. But Spanish does. The plural
noun tíos can cover both aunts and uncles.

Conclusion
The conclusion of this study is everyone who want to master English as a foreign
language, they must master the vocabulary classes but in this study, we discuss about antonym,
homonym, idiom, and hyponym. Everyone must know what the material about and the example
of them.

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