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Definition of homework
Examples of homework in a sentence.
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'homework.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near homework
Cite this entry.
“Homework.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homework. Accessed 1 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
Kids definition of homework, more from merriam-webster on homework.
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for homework
Nglish: Translation of homework for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of homework for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about homework
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- 1.1 Etymology
- 1.2 Pronunciation
- 1.3.1 Usage notes
- 1.3.2 Hypernyms
- 1.3.3 Coordinate terms
- 1.3.4 Derived terms
- 1.3.5 Translations
- 1.4 See also
- 1.5 References
- 1.6 Anagrams
From home + work .
Pronunciation
- ( Received Pronunciation ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈhəʊmˌwɜːk/
- ( General American ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈhoʊmˌwɝk/
homework ( usually uncountable , plural homeworks )
- 2013 July 1, Peter Wilby , “Finland's education ambassador spreads the word”, in The Guardian [1] , archived from the original on 2022-10-15 : Even 15-year-olds do no more than 30 minutes' homework a night.
- 2023 January 12, Kevin Roose, “Don't Ban ChatGPT in Schools. Teach With It.”, in The New York Times [2] , archived from the original on 2023-01-17 : And I'm sympathetic to teachers who feel that they have enough to worry about, without adding A.I.-generated homework to the mix.
- 2024 May 15, 'Industry Insider', “Labour's plan for the railway”, in RAIL , number 1009 , page 68 : Under the proposals, an assurance is given that GBR (in the words of the plan) will not be marking its own homework .
- 2012 April 10, John Hudson, “North Korea Has a Clumsy Way of Soothing Concerns About Its Rocket Launch”, in The Atlantic [3] , archived from the original on 2022-01-22 : Since the whole world is watching this launch, they probably should've done some homework on their talking points.
- 2017 May 9, “Mindful sex is better sex, says B.C. researcher promoting new workbook”, in CBC News [4] , archived from the original on 2022-11-22 : Four years after her first sexual health book came out, Dr. Lori Brotto is giving her readers a little bit of homework for the bedroom.
- 2022 July 18, Donald Mcrae , quoting Michael Yormark, “Roc Nation's Michael Yormark on Romelu Lukaku: 'You have to play to his strengths... I don't think that happened'”, in The Guardian [5] , archived from the original on 2022-12-26 : I didn't even know who he was until I did my homework and realised he was a premier footballer for Bayern.
- 2023 August 7, Suzanne Wrack , “England beat Nigeria on penalties to reach Women’s World Cup quarter-finals”, in The Guardian [6] : Nigeria had done their homework and were well organised. Halimatu Ayinde was exceptional in her marking of James, who had scored twice and provided three assists as she ran the show against China.
- 1989 , Eileen Boris, Cynthia R. Daniels, Homework: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Paid Labor at Home , University of Illinois Press , →ISBN , page 241 : Hatch perceived homework to be one tool—along with various workfare schemes and private sector training programs—that would take women off welfare and make poor women "independent."
- 1933 , James T. Farrell , Gas-House McGinty , page 186 : My wife and I want a kid, and we do plenty of homework , but goddamn it, Dutch, I just can't connect.
- ( BDSM ) Tasks assigned by a dominant for a submissive to perform when they are physically away from their dominant or otherwise free.
Usage notes
- ( exercises assigned by a teacher ) The term homework generally implies that the work is mandatory and worth marks; exercises that are optional are usually referred to as practice problems , review problems , extra practice , exercises , etc.
- ( exercises assigned by a teacher ) Work of a larger scale than homework (which involves a series of relatively simple exercises) is usually referred to as an assignment or project .
Coordinate terms
Derived terms.
- bit of homework
- do one's homework
- homework club
- homework diary
- piece of homework
- the dog ate my homework
Translations
- English compound terms
- English 2-syllable words
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- English uncountable nouns
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Definition of homework noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
- acquire/get/lack experience/training/(an) education
- receive/provide somebody with training
- develop/design/plan a curriculum/course/program/syllabus
- give/go to/attend a class/lesson/lecture/seminar
- hold/run/conduct a class/seminar/workshop
- moderate/lead/facilitate a discussion
- sign up for/take a course/classes/lessons
- go to/start preschool/kindergarten/nursery school
- be in the first, second, etc. grade (at school)
- study/take/drop history/chemistry/German, etc.
- finish/drop out of/quit school
- graduate from high school/college
- be the victim/target of bullying/teasing
- skip/cut/ ( informal ) ditch class/school
- cheat on an exam/a test
- get/be given a detention (for doing something)
- be expelled from/be suspended from school
- do your homework/a project on something
- work on/write/do/submit an essay/a dissertation/a thesis/an assignment/a paper
- finish/complete your dissertation/thesis/studies
- hand in/turn in your homework/essay/assignment/paper
- study/prepare/review/ ( informal ) cram for a test/an exam
- take/ ( formal ) sit for a test/an exam
- grade homework/a test
- do well on/ ( informal ) ace a test/an exam
- pass/fail/ ( informal ) flunk a test/an exam/a class/a course/a subject
- apply to/get into/go to/start college
- leave/graduate from college (with a degree in computer science)/law school
- study for/work towards a law degree/a degree in physics
- major/minor in biology/philosophy
- earn/receive/be awarded/get/have/hold a master's degree/a bachelor's degree/a Ph.D. in economics
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The Plural Forms of Words
What are the plural forms of words.
Forming the Plurals of Nouns
- 1 dog > 2 dogs
- 1 house > 2 houses
- 1 video > 2 videos
- How to form the plurals of nouns (spelling rules)
- How to form the plurals of compound nouns (e.g., mothers-in-law, Knights Templar)
- How to form the plurals of abbreviations (e.g., MOTs, L.R.S.s)
What Are the Plural Pronouns?
What is the plural form of a verb, what are plural demonstrative determiners.
Forming the Plurals of Foreign Words
- stadium > stadia or stadiums
- datum > data
- radius > radii or radiuses
- agendum > agenda
"Plural" Also Applies to Zero
- 0 dogs (plural)
- 1 dog (singular)
- 2 dogs (plural)
- 3 dogs (plural)
- There are no alligators in the lake.
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Definition of 'homework'
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homework in American English
Homework in british english, examples of 'homework' in a sentence homework, related word partners homework, trends of homework.
View usage over: Since Exist Last 10 years Last 50 years Last 100 years Last 300 years
Browse alphabetically homework
- homeward journey
- homework assignment
- homework club
- homework diary
- All ENGLISH words that begin with 'H'
Related terms of homework
- do homework
- school homework
- homework exercise
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Meaning of homework in English
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- The kids are busy with their homework.
- My science teacher always sets a lot of homework.
- "Have you got any homework tonight ?" "No."
- I got A minus for my English homework.
- For homework I want you to write a paper on an endangered species .
- academic year
- access course
- Advanced Placement
- asynchronous
- foundation course
- grade retention
- the national curriculum
- work placement
homework | Intermediate English
Homework | business english, examples of homework, translations of homework.
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graphic novel
a book containing a long story told mostly in pictures but with some writing
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homework noun
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What does the noun homework mean?
There are three meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun homework . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
How common is the noun homework ?
How is the noun homework pronounced, british english, u.s. english, where does the noun homework come from.
Earliest known use
The earliest known use of the noun homework is in the mid 1600s.
OED's earliest evidence for homework is from 1653, in the writing of Edmund Chillenden, parliamentarian army officer and General Baptist leader.
homework is formed within English, by compounding.
Etymons: home n. 1 , work n.
Nearby entries
- homeward-bounder, n. 1837–
- homeward-bound pennant, n. 1853–
- homewardly, adv. 1797–
- homewards, adv. & adj. Old English–
- homeware, n. 1782–
- home waters, n. 1838–
- home wear, n. 1836–
- home-whining, n. a1657
- home wind, n. 1732–
- home-woe, n. 1838–
- homework, n. 1653–
- homework club, n. 1900–
- homework diary, n. 1973–
- homeworker, n. 1843–
- homeworking, n. 1844–
- home-working, adj. 1850–
- home worship, n. 1849–
- homewort, n. Old English–
- home-wreck, n. 1845–
- home-wrecker, n. 1878–
- home-wrecking, n. 1878–
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Meaning & use
Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for homework, n..
homework, n. was revised in September 2011.
homework, n. was last modified in June 2024.
oed.com is a living text, updated every three months. Modifications may include:
- further revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
- new senses, phrases, and quotations.
Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into homework, n. in June 2024.
Earlier versions of this entry were published in:
A Supplement to the New English Dictionary (1933)
- Find out more
OED Second Edition (1989)
- View homework in OED Second Edition
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Citation details
Factsheet for homework, n., browse entry.
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Homework - singular or plural?
- Thread starter Mr_Croft
- Start date Nov 19, 2007
- Nov 19, 2007
Senior Member
I haven't ( have not) done it. It is singular. My homework is singular. It names the collective tasks I have to do. Bienvenido mr_Croft! Note: Some dictionaries describe this noun as "uncountable". There are many threads here about uncountable nouns. You may find them by using the forum Search feature, or by looking up the word "uncountable" in the WordReference English dictionary. It will display threads with that word in the title: Forum discussions with the word(s) 'uncountable' in the title: Countable and uncountable, depending on context! Countable, uncountable: asparagus Countable, uncountable: homework Uncountable nouns - an exercise is the word "cheese" uncountable? Countable, uncountable: mail, e-mail Countable, uncountable: broccoli, orange Countable, uncountable: advice, bread, cabbage, hair, onions Countable, uncountable: chocolate, chocolates Countable, uncountable: food Countable, uncountable: news Two uncountable nouns become plural? Countable, uncountable: peanuts, people Should the verb be singular or plural after two uncountable nouns? Countable and uncountable, depending on context! uncountable luck Biker, Sponsor: UNCOUNTABLE??? is or are with a list of uncountable Countable, uncountable: help Countable, uncountable: snow Two types of uncountable nouns. the use of articles with uncountable nouns Countable, uncountable: patience "Advice" - uncountable??? Tip (countable or uncountable)
The last time we talked about this, everyone but me said that homework is not countable. Countable, uncountable: homework But in this particular example, even I would say: I haven't done my homework. Have you done your homework? I haven't done it yet. - - - even if I have homework to do in several different subjects.
What is the plural form of homework?
Homework is a mass noun and uses singular verbs. There is no plural.
To express a plural, you could use a number or similar adjective, such as "piece."
- One piece of homework
- Two pieces of homework
Add your answer:
What is the plural form of home work?
How do you write the vous form for do your homework in french.
To do one's homework is "faire ses devoirs".You (plural) do your homework is 'vous faites vos devoirs'.Imperative mood, you plural: faites vos devoirs.
What is the plural possessive form for teachers?
The plural possessive form for "teachers" is "teachers'".
What is plural possessive for teacher?
The plural form for the noun teacher is teachers. The plural possessive form is teachers'.Example: The teachers' committee voted to permanently ban homework.
What is the plural form of the word homework?
The collective noun for the noun 'homework' is a slew of homework.
Can an inanimate object have a plural possessive?
Yes, a word for an inanimate object can have a plural form and a plural possessive form; for example:pencil; pencils; the pencils' casehot dog; hot dogs; the hot dogs' bunshomework; the homework's due date (homework is an uncountable noun)tire; tires; the tires' replacementschair; chairs; the chairs' upholstery
What are sentences using is or are?
(The form of the verb to be include is, 3rd person singular, and are, 2nd person singular, or any person plural.)She is doing her homework. The cat is on the sidewalk.They are doing their homework. The cats are on the sidewalk.We are doing our homework. Are you doing your homework? They are done with their homework.
What is the difference between do and does?
Do and Does are both verbs from the verb to do. Do is used for the first person singular& plural I Do, we do, and the second person singular & second person plural you do, you guys do. Now the third person singular would be he/she does, different from the third person plural which is they do. example: I do my homework everyday we do our homework everyday you do your homework everyday you guys do your homework everyday Tommy does his homework everyday They do their homework everyday
What is the singular possessive form for the teacher?
The singular form of the plural noun teachers is teacher.The singular possessive form is teacher's.Example: I put my homework on the teacher's desk.
Who and when do we use does do and did?
Do and does are present tense and did is past tense.Use do when the subject is I or a plural nounegI do my homework. The boys do their homework. -- 'The boys' is a plural subject.Use does for when he/she/it or a singular noun is the subject egShe does her homework. The boy does his homework. -- 'The boy' is a singular noun.Use did for all subjects - singular or plural - if you are writing about something in the past egI did my homework last night.The boys did their homework yesterday.She did her homework last week.The boy did his homework last night.
What is the plural form of do and don't in a sentence?
The plural form of "do" is "do" and the plural form of "don't" is "don't." These words do not change in the plural form when used in a sentence.
How do you spell the plural form of him?
The plural form of him, her, or it is them. (objective pronouns)
IMAGES
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COMMENTS
The noun homework can be countable or uncountable. In more general, commonly used, contexts, the plural form will also be homework. However, in more specific contexts, the plural form can also be homeworks e.g. in reference to various types of homeworks or a collection of homeworks. Find more words! The innovative scheme could be used to send ...
Traditionally, it is not countable, and most dictionaries list it as such. However, the Merriam-Webster thesaurus (although not the Merriam-Webster dictionary) does have an entry for homeworks. Moreover, the plural form is used by at least some groups of educated native speakers. One's best bet is to try to find out if one's audience belongs to ...
How to use homework in a sentence. piecework done at home for pay; an assignment given to a student to be completed outside the regular class period… See the full definition
homework (usually uncountable, plural homeworks) Exercises assigned by a teacher to a student which review concepts studied in class. You must do your homework before you can watch television. 2013 July 1, Peter Wilby, "Finland's education ambassador spreads the word", in The Guardian [1], archived from the original on 2022-10-15: Even ...
2. In general, you should try to avoid saying "a homework." (As a native speaker, it sounds very strange) The best reason I can think of why it sounds strange is because the word is indefinite in size. Saying "a" homework contradicts its nature of being indefinite by assigning a size to something that is arbitrary.
homework meaning, definition, what is homework: work that a student at school is asked t...: Learn more. ... • Homework is an uncountable noun and is not used in the plural. ... The teacher gave us a lot of homework. Don't say: The teacher gave us a lot of homeworks. • Homework is always followed by a singular verb. The homework was ...
The homework assignments are worth 10% of the final grade. I have some homework to do on the Civil War. I want you to hand in this homework on Friday. The science teacher always gives a lot of homework. They get a lot of homework in English. They get masses of homework at secondary school. We had to write out one of the exercises for homework.
Numbered Nouns: The word ''homework'' is a noun. A noun is a word that refers to a person, place, thing, or idea. Nouns can be singular, referring to one, or plural, referring to more than one.
HOMEWORK definition: 1. work that teachers give their students to do at home: 2. work that teachers give their students…. Learn more.
HOMEWORK meaning: 1. work that teachers give students to do at home: 2. to prepare carefully for a situation: . Learn more.
Definition of homework noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. ... I have to write up the notes for homework. compare classwork Topic Collocations Education learning. acquire/get/lack experience/training/(an) education;
Forming the Plurals of Nouns In most cases, a noun will form its plural by adding "s" to the singular form. For example: 1 dog > 2 dogs; 1 house > 2 houses; 1 video > 2 videos; The spelling rules for forming the plurals of nouns (e.g., whether to add "s," "es," or "ies") usually depend on how the noun ends.
noun. 1. work, esp. piecework, done at home. 2. lessons to be studied or schoolwork to be done outside the classroom. 3. US. study or research in preparation for some project, activity, etc. : used mainly in the phrase do one's homework.
HOMEWORK meaning: 1. work that teachers give their students to do at home: 2. work that teachers give their students…. Learn more.
The earliest known use of the noun homework is in the mid 1600s. OED's earliest evidence for homework is from 1653, in the writing of Edmund Chillenden, parliamentarian army officer and General Baptist leader. homework is formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: home n.1, work n. See etymology.
The teacher told us to do thirty exercises for homework. If you are teacher you can also say: For homework I want you to do thirty exercises. But if you set thirty exercises as homework then one 'unit' of homework would be thirty exercises, so 'exercise' isn't the unit for 'the homework received from one pupil'.
It is singular. My homework is singular. It names. the collective tasks I have to do. Bienvenido mr_Croft! Note: Some dictionaries describe this noun as "uncountable". There are many threads here about uncountable nouns. You may find them by using the forum Search feature, or by looking up the word "uncountable" in the WordReference English ...
You have correctly identified the subject of the sentence as "homework", which is a singular collective noun. So, you should use the singular form of the verb: "What classes is the homework for." It may sound strange, because the word order is inverted and the verb comes after a plural noun, but the subject-verb agreement is all that matters.
Homework is an uncountable noun so it has no plural. You speak of homework in terms of how much you have. For example "I have one piece of homework" or "Tonight I have lots of homework". Homework ...
Homework is a mass noun and uses singular verbs. There is no plural. To express a plural, you could use a number or similar adjective, such as "piece." Example: - One piece of homework - Two ...