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noun as in assignment

Strongest matches

  • appointment

Strong matches

noun as in drill

  • conditioning
  • preparation
  • constitutional
  • instruction
  • run through

Weak matches

  • daily dozen
  • learning by doing

noun as in lesson

noun as in practice

noun as in preparation

  • arrangement
  • construction
  • establishment
  • preparedness
  • qualification
  • anticipation
  • expectation
  • manufacture
  • substructure
  • getting ready
  • making ready
  • putting in order

noun as in revision

  • improvement
  • modification
  • reconsideration
  • reexamination
  • rectification
  • retrospection
  • overhauling

Example Sentences

Now, they log on to Zoom from their bedrooms, surrounded by unfinished homework assignments and tattered stuffed animals, waiting to be assigned calls, texts and emails by the trained therapists who oversee the program.

Yow started her homework and saw Frese had gone 35-22 with two winning seasons at Ball State, which hadn’t had a winning record in its previous nine seasons.

Do some homework before investing in a diamond, and that lifelong commitment.

Another poster included an image of their losses over what appeared to be online math homework.

As we countdown to Inauguration Day, I've been doing my homework—and looking to the past for inspiration.

“I can help my children with their homework and sometimes we text in English at my job,” Santos says.

Scheunemann, meanwhile, had no idea who Spencer was, and did some homework.

She jumped at the chance to watch RT, or jumped at the chance to skip calculus homework.

And we encourage parent-student “contracts,” for class attendance, homework submission and even extra-curriculum activities.

Adicéam did his homework, spending 50 days collecting pieces, many with unexpected stories behind them.

Much of this homework is done by a very bad light and the boy's eyes suffer much.

For homework we have prepared alphabets where the letters are printed in type-writing order.

His parents were always getting angry with him for losing his clothes, or his toys, or his homework.

Only at the time when he was going to Beauregard School, with his homework.

And once a week or twice a week she was sending her homework or something to him.

Related Words

Words related to homework are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word homework . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

noun as in responsibility, task

noun as in practice, exercise

noun as in information taught

noun as in exercise, application

Viewing 5 / 7 related words

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

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Top 10 Positive & Impactful Synonyms for “Homework” (With Meanings & Examples)

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homework different meaning

Learning projects, knowledge practice, and skill-building activities—positive and impactful synonyms for “homework” enhance your vocabulary and help you foster a mindset geared toward making a positive impact. So, we had to ask: What are the top ten positive & impactful synonyms for “homework”?

The top 10 positive & impactful synonyms for “homework” are study tasks, learning projects, academic exercises, study assignments, educational tasks, knowledge practice, study work, learning exercises, academic tasks, and skill-building activities. Using these synonyms helps you enhance both your communication and psychological resilience in several meaningful ways.

In the table below, you can see all these top ten synonyms including their descriptions, why they are positive and impactful synonyms for “homework,” and example sentences that highlight how you can use each of these. We’ll then also share ten benefits of why you should use these synonyms, ten interesting facts about the word “homework,” and a brief history of the development of our alphabet.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | ‍ O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Here Are the Top 10 Positive & Impactful Synonyms for “Homework”

Our list of positive & impactful synonyms for “homework” help you expand your vocabulary and enhance both your communication and psychological resilience in several meaningful ways ( you can read more about it in the next section ).

That’s why it’s so important to focus on synonyms that can be used in a positive and impactful way.

Homework : schoolwork that a pupil is required to do at home | paid work carried out in one’s own home, especially low-paid piecework Oxford Dictionary

Our top ten synonyms for “homework” exemplify the beauty of our language—their meaning is not just fixed but can be shaped by the context they are used in. 

Study TasksAssignments intended for learning and practice, emphasizing the purposeful aspect of ‘homework’.“The teacher assigned study tasks that were both challenging and engaging.”
Learning ProjectsProjects designed to enhance understanding and skills, highlighting ‘homework’ as a constructive learning experience.“For their learning projects, students chose topics that interested them deeply.”
Academic ExercisesExercises aimed at improving students’ knowledge and abilities, akin to ‘homework’ in their educational value.“The academic exercises helped her grasp complex mathematical concepts.”
Study AssignmentsTasks given to students to complete outside of class, paralleling ‘homework’ in emphasizing structured learning activities.“His study assignments included a mix of reading, writing, and problem-solving.”
Educational TasksTasks with a specific learning goal, akin to ‘homework’ but highlighting their role in education.“The educational tasks for the week focused on improving literacy skills.”
Knowledge PracticePractice work that reinforces newly acquired skills or information, similar to ‘homework’ in its focus on reinforcement.“Knowledge practice at home was key to mastering the new language.”
Study WorkWork assigned to be completed at home, stressing ‘homework’s’ role in ongoing education.“Her study work included an essay on historical events that shaped the modern world.”
Learning ExercisesExercises designed to test and improve students’ understanding, akin to ‘homework’ in their educational intent.“The learning exercises were carefully crafted to be both informative and thought-provoking.”
Academic TasksTasks assigned as part of a course of study, paralleling ‘homework’ in their focus on academic growth.“The academic tasks were designed to complement the in-class lectures and discussions.”
Skill-Building ActivitiesActivities aimed at enhancing specific skills, reflecting ‘homework’s’ aspect of personal development.“The skill-building activities included coding challenges and science experiments.”

10 Benefits of Using More Positive & Impactful Synonyms

Our positive & impactful synonyms for “homework” help you expand your vocabulary and enhance both your communication and psychological resilience in several meaningful ways:

  • Encouraging Positive Framing : Using positive synonyms allows for a more optimistic and affirmative way of expressing thoughts. This can influence not only the speaker’s or writer’s mindset but also positively impact the audience’s perception and reaction.
  • Improving Emotional Intelligence : Learning different positive synonyms helps in accurately expressing emotions. This aids in emotional intelligence, as one can more precisely convey feelings and understand the emotions of others.
  • Enhancing Persuasive Communication : In persuasive writing and speaking, using positive synonyms can be more effective in convincing an audience, as people generally respond better to positive language.
  • Broadening Emotional Vocabulary : A range of positive synonyms enriches your emotional vocabulary. It’s one thing to say you’re “happy” and another to express that you’re “elated,” “joyful,” or “content.” Each word carries a unique emotional hue.
  • Creating a Positive Atmosphere : The use of positive language can create a more constructive and encouraging atmosphere in both personal and professional settings. This can lead to better teamwork, more effective communication, and improved interpersonal relationships.
  • Enhancing Creative Writing : For those engaged in creative writing, a repertoire of positive synonyms can help in vividly depicting scenes, characters, and emotions, making the narrative more engaging and lively.
  • Improving Mental Health and Well-being : Regularly using and thinking in terms of positive words can influence one’s mental state and outlook on life. Positive language has been linked to greater well-being and a more optimistic outlook.
  • Improving Cognitive Flexibility : Expanding your vocabulary with positive synonyms enhances your cognitive flexibility. This means you become more adept at thinking creatively and adapting your language use to different situations. The mental exercise involved in learning and using a variety of positive words can also contribute to overall cognitive health, keeping your mind sharp and responsive.
  • Building Social Skills and Empathy : When you have a variety of positive words at your disposal, you’re better equipped to offer compliments, encouragement, and empathetic responses in social interactions.
  • Facilitating Conflict Resolution : In situations of conflict, the use of positive language can help de-escalate tension. Having a range of positive synonyms allows for more constructive and diplomatic communication.

Overall, your use of positive synonyms not only broadens your vocabulary but also positively influences your thought processes, emotional expression, and interpersonal interactions.

10 Interesting Facts About the Word “Homework”

Let’s take a step back and have a look at some interesting facts about the word “homework” .

  • Etymology : The term “homework” combines “home,” meaning the place where one lives, with “work,” referring to tasks or labor. It originated in the early 19 th century to describe tasks done at home.
  • Historical Context : Initially, “homework” referred more broadly to any work done at home, including domestic chores, before becoming associated primarily with schoolwork.
  • Educational Evolution : The role and amount of homework have evolved over time, influenced by educational theories, cultural values, and research on learning and development.
  • Global Perspectives : Attitudes toward homework vary globally, with some educational systems emphasizing its importance and others questioning its effectiveness.
  • Research Debates : There is ongoing debate among educators and psychologists about the benefits of homework, with studies showing mixed results on its impact on academic achievement.
  • Parental Involvement : Homework often requires or encourages parental involvement, which can affect its effectiveness and the student’s learning experience.
  • Digital Age : The concept of homework has expanded with technology, incorporating digital platforms, online resources, and virtual assignments.
  • Policy Changes : Some schools and districts have experimented with reducing or eliminating homework to address concerns about student stress and family time.
  • Accessibility Issues : Homework can exacerbate educational inequalities, as not all students have the same access to resources, support, and environments conducive to learning outside of school.
  • Alternative Approaches : Innovative educational approaches sometimes replace traditional homework with projects, research, or reading that encourage deeper engagement with material and self-directed learning.

A Brief History of Our Alphabet

The story of our alphabet has a rich and compelling history , beginning with ancient civilizations and carrying forward into the present day.

The history of our modern alphabet is a fascinating journey that spans several millennia and cultures. It’s commonly referred to as the Latin or Roman alphabet, and here’s a brief overview of its evolution:

  • Phoenician Alphabet (circa 1050 BCE) : The story begins with the Phoenician alphabet, one of the oldest writing systems known to use a one-to-one correspondence between sounds and symbols. This Semitic alphabet had about 22 consonants, but no vowels, and was primarily used for trade.
  • Greek Alphabet (circa 800 BCE) : The Greeks borrowed and adapted the Phoenician script. Crucially, they introduced vowels, making it one of the first true alphabets where each symbol represented a distinct sound (both vowel and consonant). The Greek alphabet had a significant influence on the development of other alphabets.
  • Etruscan Alphabet (circa 700 BCE) : The Etruscan civilization in Italy adapted the Greek alphabet to their own language. While Etruscan was largely replaced by Latin, their version of the alphabet was a key predecessor to the Roman one.
  • Latin Alphabet (circa 700 BCE – Present) : The Latin alphabet emerged from the adaptation of the Etruscan script. Ancient Rome used this alphabet, and it spread across Europe as the Roman Empire expanded. The original Latin alphabet did not contain the letters J, U, and W. These were added much later along with other modifications to suit different languages and phonetic needs.
  • Modern Variations : Today, the Latin alphabet is the most widely used alphabetic writing system in the world. It has undergone various changes to accommodate different languages and sounds. For instance, English—among other languages—added letters like ‘J’, ‘U’, and ‘W’, while other languages incorporate additional characters like ‘Ñ’ in Spanish or ‘Ç’ in French.

This evolution reflects not just linguistic changes but also cultural and historical shifts, as the alphabet was adapted by different societies across centuries.

Final Thoughts

Expanding your vocabulary is akin to broadening your intellectual horizons and enhancing your capacity to express your thoughts and emotions with precision. By embracing additional synonyms for “homework,” you’re not just learning new terms, but you’re also gaining nuanced ways to communicate positivity and impact.

The more words you have at your disposal, the more accurately and vividly you can paint your thoughts into speech and writing. So, by growing your vocabulary, especially with positive and impactful words, you’re empowering yourself to engage more effectively and inspiringly with the world around you.

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Thesaurus for Homework

Related terms for homework - synonyms, antonyms and sentences with homework, similar meaning.

  • preparation
  • assignments
  • preparations
  • homeworking

Opposite meaning

  • dispossession
  • nonactivity
  • entertainment
  • go on a vacation
  • go on vacation
  • have a rest
  • high level of unemployment
  • unemployment

Common usage

  • do the ironing
  • valuable lesson
  • pad of paper
  • fixin' to
  • make breakfast
  • do the cleaning
  • kitchenware
  • do the housework
  • be obliged to
  • blowing out
  • cattle chute
  • clerical work

Sentence Examples

Proper usage in context.

  • Homework is a breeze English idiom
  • He had been totally engrossed in his AP Chemistry homework
  • She cries when her homework is incomplete
  • Can't believe they gave Christine homework already
  • He always helps his daughter with her homework
  • More from M-W
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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 11 Sep. 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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7 Types of Homework for Students

7 Types of Homework for Students

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Learn about our Editorial Process

types of homework

There are seven types of homework. These are practice, preparation, extension, integration, research, application, and flipped homework.

Each type of homework has its own role for students learning. The important task for teachers is to select homework that will best provide holistic support to a student.

This doesn’t mean just supporting students for the upcoming exams but also ensuring students are not overwhelmed by homework and that they can still live a balanced life outside of school.

Types of Homework

1. practice.

Practice is the most common task students have when they are given homework. It entails attempting to reinforce information learned in school so that students will commit it to long-term memory.

An example of practice homework is math workbooks. Usually, a teacher will complete the math task in class so students know how to do it, then give them a workbook of 20 – 50 tasks to complete overnight to reinforce the task.

The benefit of practice homework is that it can certainly help students commit what they learned in class to memory. This is especially the case if teachers used spaced repetition. This is a strategy whereby the teacher re-introduces things learned in previous weeks and months during homework revision so the information is not lost over time.

The downside of practice homework is that the child is learning on their own during this period. This means that, if the child hasn’t sufficiently learned the content in class, they don’t have anyone to help them during homework time. This can lead to a great deal of frustration and despair for students staring at a piece of paper feeling lost and confused.

Related: Homework Statistics

2. Preparation

Preparation homework is given to students before a lesson so they have the important information at hand before class.

Commonly, this occurs when teachers provide reading materials for students to look over between class. They then come to class having read the materials so they are ready to discuss and debate the topics.

It’s also commonly used in language learning, where it’s called pre-teaching of vocabulary. The teacher provides vocabulary to learn before class so the students can come to class and practice it together.

The benefit of preparation homework is that it bunches a lot of the didactic (non-interactive) parts of learning into the pre-class time so students can spend most of their time in class interacting with the teacher and peers.

The downside of preparation homework is that it rarely works as expected. Teachers often spend the first 10 to 15 minutes of class re-teaching what was supposed to be done for homework either because students found it too hard or they didn’t do the tasks.

3. Extension

Extension homework involves providing students with tasks that are based upon what was learned in class, but goes over and above those tasks.

It is the equivalent of teaching a student to swim then letting them out into the ocean. The students have to apply their knowledge in a new context without the support or ‘ scaffolding ’ of a teacher hovering over their shoulders.

The benefit of extension homework is it can give students a lot of confidence. They can go home and feel as if they’re excelling at their work when they find that they’re doing it without the support of a teacher.

The downside of extension homework is that it can be risky: by definition, students are extending themselves beyond what was learned in class, meaning they will come across new information and new contexts where they might need help that’s not available at the time.

Related: Homework Pros and Cons

4. Integration

Integration homework requires students to bring together, or ‘integrate’, knowledge from various subjects and knowledge areas into one project.

The homework may involve the integration of history lessons with writing lessons to create a book report, or the integration of math with business studies to create a business plan.

Integration is great for students to draw connections between things they have learned in various different classes at school. However, it also involves a lot of complexity that may make students feel confused or overwhelmed.

5. Research

Research homework involves using your time after school and on weekends to gather data that will be discussed in class.

Often, this can involve interviewing family members, taking photos around your community, or looking up information on the internet.

The benefit of research homework is that students often come to class with exciting things to share. They will also come with questions to help stimulate conversation in class.

However, it’s important for teachers to be aware that not all students have access to high-speed internet and other resources to conduct research. In fact, in my homework statistics article, I discussed how a staggering 24% of low-income American teens regularly fail to complete homework due to lack of access to technology.

6. Application

Application homework involves taking knowledge learned in class and applying it to real-world settings.

This is common in immersive language learning settings, for example, when teachers ask students to go out into the streets and practice new vocabulary when ordering a drink or buying food.

The benefit of application homework is that it gives real-world context to what was learned in class. By applying your knowledge, you can more effectively commit it to memory than simply rote learning it at your kitchen table.

Application in a real-world setting provides a context and a story that you can easily pull from your memory in the future, helping you to retain information long-term.

7. Flipped Homework

The flipped learning movement is a movement that involves making students learn at home on their own then come to class to practice it.

For teachers, this means thinking about school as the space for ‘traditional’ homework and home as the space for instruction.

This is increasingly popular with technology and hybrid learning environments. For example, a teacher might assign a YouTube video to watch as homework before class. Then, the class involves dissecting the video and critiquing it.

The benefit of flipped learning is that it maximizes time for constructivist and hands-on active learning in the classroom. The downside is students can get confused during preparation, they may not complete the preparation work, or technology may fail on them.

What are the Functions of Homework?

Homework serves multiple purposes. These include:

  • Getting Ahead: Many schools and parents give their children homework (including private tutoring help so their children can have an advantage in life over other children.
  • Keeping Up: On a societal level, many governments encourage homework so that students can keep up with other societies in the ‘education race’ of the 21st Century. Some societies, like South Korea, heavily emphasize homework, and others feel they need to keep up.
  • Catching Up: Many students are assigned homework to catch up with the rest of their class. If you find a topic very difficult, you may find you need to spend a lot more time on your own working through the information than your peers.
  • Retention: Homework helps you to repeat and retain information. With extra practice, you can commit information to memory.
  • Excitement: Some well-made homework can get students excited to come to class to discuss what they did.
  • Application: Situation-based learning, where you’re applying what you learned in class to real-world situations, can help progress students’ knowledge in ways that you can’t in school.
  • Home-School Relationships: Homework also serves the purpose of ensuring parents know what’s going on in school. Many parents like to see what children are learning so they can monitor their children’s progress and keep teachers accountable.

Homework comes in all shapes and sizes. While many teachers stick to the old fashioned repetition homework mode, I’d encourage you to try out a range of other types of homework that can keep students engaged, encourage more discussion and collaboration in class, and ensure that the difficult work where students need the teacher’s help takes place in the classroom. This will provide maximum support for your students, help propel them forward, and prevent arguments for why homework should be banned .

Chris

  • Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
  • Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 20 Montessori Toddler Bedrooms (Design Inspiration)
  • Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 21 Montessori Homeschool Setups
  • Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 101 Hidden Talents Examples

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Definition of homework noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

  • I always do my homework on the bus.
  • physics/geography/French, etc. homework
  • I still haven't done my geography homework.
  • How much homework do you get?
  • for homework I have to write up the notes for homework.
  • (especially North American English) I have to finish this homework assignment .
  • acquire/​get/​lack (an) education/​training/ (British English) (some) qualifications
  • receive/​provide somebody with training/​tuition
  • develop/​design/​plan a curriculum/ (especially British English) course/ (North American English) program/​syllabus
  • give/​go to/​attend a class/​lesson/​lecture/​seminar
  • hold/​run/​conduct a class/​seminar/​workshop
  • sign up for/​take a course/​classes/​lessons
  • go to/​start preschool/​kindergarten/​nursery school
  • be in (North American English) the first, second, etc. grade/ (British English) year 1, 2. etc. (at school)
  • study/​take/​drop history/​chemistry/​German, etc.
  • (British English) leave/​finish/​drop out of/ (North American English) quit school
  • (North American English) graduate high school/​college
  • be the victim/​target of bullying
  • (British English) play truant from/ (both British English, informal) bunk off/​skive off school (= not go to school when you should)
  • (both especially North American English) skip/​cut class/​school
  • (British English) cheat in/ (North American English) cheat on an exam/​a test
  • get/​be given a detention (for doing something)
  • be expelled from/​be suspended from school
  • do your homework/ (British English) revision/​a project on something
  • work on/​write/​do/​submit an essay/​a dissertation/​a thesis/​an assignment/ (North American English) a paper
  • finish/​complete your dissertation/​thesis/​studies/​coursework
  • hand in/ (North American English) turn in your homework/​essay/​assignment/​paper
  • study/​prepare/ (British English) revise/ (North American English) review/ (North American English, informal) cram for a test/​an exam
  • take/ (both British English) do/​sit a test/​an exam
  • (especially British English) mark/ (especially North American English) grade homework/​a test
  • (British English) do well in/ (North American English) do well on/ (especially North American English, informal) ace a test/​an exam
  • pass/​fail/ (especially North American English, informal) flunk a test/​an exam/​a class/​a course/​a subject
  • apply to/​get into/​go to/​start college/ (British English) university
  • leave/​graduate from law school/​college/ (British English) university (with a degree in computer science)
  • study for/​take/ (British English) do/​complete a law degree/​a degree in physics
  • (both North American English) major/​minor in biology/​philosophy
  • earn/​receive/​be awarded/​get/​have/​hold a master’s degree/​a bachelor’s degree/​a PhD in economics
  • Have you finished your homework?
  • Have you done your physics homework yet?
  • I was helping my sister with her maths homework.
  • 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.
  • for homework
  • homework  on

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homework different meaning

Home » Education » What is the Difference Between Homework and Assignment

What is the Difference Between Homework and Assignment

The main difference between homework and assignment is that homework is a task or a work assigned to a student generally by a teacher to be completed outside the classroom setting, most probably at home, while an assignment is a task assigned to a student to be completed within the course of a particular study.

Assignments and homework vary from one another due to a wide range of distinctive elements such as the objective or the purpose of the task, main functions, and the benefits received.

Key Areas Covered

1.  What is Homework     – Definition, Features 2.  What is Assignment      – Definition, Features 3.  Similarities Between Homework and Assignment      – Outline of Common Characteristics 4.  Difference Between Homework and Assignment     – Comparison of Key Differences

Difference Between Homework and Assignment - Comparison Summary

What is Homework

Homework refers to the tasks assigned to the students by the schoolteachers.  They expect students to carry out the task during non-school hours. Teachers often give homework to complete at home in order to make their students practice the learning material already taught. Their aim is to reinforce learning and facilitate the mastery of specific competencies and skills .

Sometimes, a student might get preparation assignments as homework. The purpose of such homework is to introduce the student to the study material that the teacher will present in future lessons. Furthermore, it would help students to obtain the maximum benefit once the new material is being taught in class.

What is Homework

On the other hand, homework sometimes facilitates the transfer of previously acquired skills to new situations. For example, the students might learn in class about factors that led to World war I. Then, as homework, the teacher would ask the students to find out the factors that led to World war II. Here, the teacher gives an integration homework, which requires the student to apply separately learned skills to create a single product, such as science projects, newspaper reports, or creative writing.

In addition, homework can be used to build up proper communication between parents and children, as a constructive method of punishment and also to make the parents aware of what is happening in school.

What is Assignment

If you are a student, you might think that it is not your responsibility to learn by yourself; rather, it is the job of the teacher to teach you. But, a teacher cannot teach every little thing in a particular unit or subject to the students.

Such a spoon-feeding method of imparting knowledge can negatively influence the learning capabilities and the academic career of a student. Especially in academic establishments such as colleges or universities, teachers expect the students do some research to grasp the untaught concepts and to explore the subject on their own instead of teaching everything to the students using a lecture method.

Homework vs Assignment

The actual purpose of giving assignments is to enhance the learning skills of the students.  This enables the students to occupy their brains more and more. Academic assignments improve the creativity of the students as they naturally acquire and learn a lot when they read or practice a subject or art on their own.  Therefore, the main reason for giving assignments is to provide the student with a platform to practice and explore knowledge about a subject on their own.

Similarities Between Homework and Assignment

  • Both aim at enhancing the learning skills of the students.
  • Teachers or professors assign them to the students.
  • It is possible to grade both homework and assignments.

Difference Between Homework and Assignment

Homework is a work or a task assigned to a student by a teacher to be completed during a non-school hour, whereas an assignment is a task assigned to a student in the course of study. In contrast to homework, an assignment usually provides the student with a clue about the objectives of the assigned task.

The main purpose of an assignment is to help a student understand the studying process well. In contrast,  homework basically helps the student to improve his/her skills.

Main Function

An assignment can be used to figure out what should be taught, while homework is basically used to identify the challenges encountered by students on a particular topic. 

Some advantages of assignments include supporting students to revise a particular topic and boosting the students’ confidence, whereas homework becomes helpful in understanding a specific topic and when preparing for an exam.

In brief, the main difference between homework and assignment is that homework is assigned to be completed outside the classroom while assignments are assigned to be completed within the course of a particular study. Nonetheless, no matter how beneficial they can be, for most students, homework and assignments are a massive source of unhappiness and irritation.

1. Levy, Sandra. “ Why Homework Is Bad: Stress and Consequences .” Healthline , Healthline Media.

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About the Author: Anuradha

Anuradha has a BA degree in English, French, and Translation studies. She is currently reading for a Master's degree in Teaching English Literature in a Second Language Context. Her areas of interests include Arts and Literature, Language and Education, Nature and Animals, Cultures and Civilizations, Food, and Fashion.

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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
  • immersion course
  • on a course
  • open admissions
  • the national curriculum
  • work placement

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[ hohm -wurk ]

  • schoolwork assigned to be done outside the classroom ( distinguished from classwork ).
  • a single assignment of such schoolwork: Homeworks are due at the beginning of class.
  • paid work done at home , as piecework.

to do one's homework for the next committee meeting.

/ ˈhəʊmˌwɜːk /

  • school work done out of lessons, esp at home
  • any preparatory study
  • work done at home for pay

Word History and Origins

Origin of homework 1

Idioms and Phrases

Example sentences.

Now, they log on to Zoom from their bedrooms, surrounded by unfinished homework assignments and tattered stuffed animals, waiting to be assigned calls, texts and emails by the trained therapists who oversee the program.

Yow started her homework and saw Frese had gone 35-22 with two winning seasons at Ball State, which hadn’t had a winning record in its previous nine seasons.

Do some homework before investing in a diamond, and that lifelong commitment.

Another poster included an image of their losses over what appeared to be online math homework.

As we countdown to Inauguration Day, I've been doing my homework—and looking to the past for inspiration.

“I can help my children with their homework and sometimes we text in English at my job,” Santos says.

Scheunemann, meanwhile, had no idea who Spencer was, and did some homework.

She jumped at the chance to watch RT, or jumped at the chance to skip calculus homework.

And we encourage parent-student “contracts,” for class attendance, homework submission and even extra-curriculum activities.

Adicéam did his homework, spending 50 days collecting pieces, many with unexpected stories behind them.

Much of this homework is done by a very bad light and the boy's eyes suffer much.

For homework we have prepared alphabets where the letters are printed in type-writing order.

His parents were always getting angry with him for losing his clothes, or his toys, or his homework.

Only at the time when he was going to Beauregard School, with his homework.

And once a week or twice a week she was sending her homework or something to him.

Related Words

  • arrangement
  • construction
  • establishment
  • preparedness
  • qualification

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Homework in Different Languages. Learn How to Say and Translate

Homework in Different Languages: Please find below many ways to say homework in different languages. This page features translation of the word "homework" to over 100 other languages. We also invite you to listen to audio pronunciation in more than 40 languages, so you could learn how to pronounce homework and how to read it.

Saying Homework in European Languages

All LanguagesWays to say homework
[Damašniaja rabota]
[domashna rabota]
[ergasía gia to spíti]
[domašna rabota]
[domashneye zadaniye]
[domaći zadatak]
[Domashnya robota]
[heym arbet]

Saying Homework in Asian Languages

Ways to say homework
[Tnayin ashkhatank’]
[bāṛira kāja]
[jiātíng zuòyè]
[jiātíng zuòyè]
[sashinao davaleba]
[gr̥ha kārya]
[grhakaary]
[manekelasa]
[üy jumısı]
[sugje]
[üy iş]
[ viakban]
[heaam varkku]
[gr̥hapāṭha]
[geriin daalgavar]
[ aainhcar]
[gr̥hakārya]
[ghara dā kama]
[gedara væḍa]
[vīṭṭu pāṭam]
[iṇṭi pani]

Saying Homework in Middle-Eastern Languages

Ways to say homework
[aleamal fi almanzil]

Saying Homework in African Languages

Ways to say homework
[yebēti sira]

Saying Homework in Austronesian Languages

Ways to say homework

Saying Homework in Other Foreign Languages

Ways to say homework

Homework in Different Languages - Image

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Etymology of "housework" and "homework"

In American English (perhaps British as well), "housework" and "homework" have different meanings. "Housework" refers to working around the house, such as dusting, vacuuming, etc., whereas "homework" refers to doing some school assignments at home, after school is out.

Homework can be completed outside the home, such as in a library. In order to do housework, however, one must be at one's house. How and when did two words which seem so similar at first glance gain such different meanings?

Uticensis's user avatar

  • 2 It might be interesting for you to know that I didn't find any entry in the OED regarding "housework". It is weird since I know the word exists. –  Alenanno Commented Apr 3, 2011 at 17:35
  • 2 Maybe the Brits don't do houseworks! But how they've managed to keep their mansions & chesterfields so pristine is beyond me. Mm. –  Percy P. Commented Apr 3, 2011 at 17:41
  • 2 We Brits invented 'housework'! Along with a rigid class system to make sure it was only done by scullery maids & other lesser mortals, leaving the lady of the house to concentrate of receiving 'gentleman callers'. But I never heard of anyone so grand they needed to pluralise the efforts others make on their behalf. –  FumbleFingers Commented Apr 3, 2011 at 17:48
  • 2 And originally in English public schools (which are private) homework wouldn't be done at home (since they were boarders) but in your house - but wasn't called homework it was called prep. Great language! - for an encore we will explain cricket –  mgb Commented Apr 3, 2011 at 18:09
  • Once I finish this post, I will go back to "working from home", which interestingly refers to a paid job, and is neither housework nor homework. –  Jay Commented May 1, 2012 at 18:01

2 Answers 2

According to the OED , the original meaning of "homework" does conflate much more obviously with "housework," with the former being defined, above all, as:

Work done at home , esp. as distinguished from work done in a shop or factory.

The earliest citation is a hearty piece of precious advice from a sermon from the 1680s:

Wherefore let every Man, in the first place, look after his Homework ; what he hath to do at Home.

Less vague examples of homework were given in later quotes: Spinning, quilting, and embroidery. This crafty and practical usage seems, however, to be an obsolescent meaning of homework , with the last use from the '30s. But the word "home worker" (doing low-paying piecework) lives on, preserving this original meaning of "homework":

Most home workers are women. They need the flexibility of working hours that home work allows. ( Guardian , 1973)

The second—and now primary—meaning of "review/preparatory school work despised by youth" didn't appear until much later (late 19th century), but it's thriving and strong, having quickly overtaken the original meaning.

▶ Housework

The first citation of "house-work" from the OED (which hyphenates it) is from mid-19th century. Its meaning has always been as it is now: "the work done to keep a house orderly (and housewares clean)," diligently by housewives and begrudgingly by house-servants:

While the boys are engaged in out-door work, the girls could be employed in sewing or house-work . ( Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs , 1871)

Here it contrasts homework (sewing) with housework [other activities].

As FumbleFingers's Ngram shows, it has also been used in texts in its unhyphenated form, which the OED has chosen not to include, as Alenanno first noted above in the comments, although it does feature a sub-entry for the spaced "house work" (definition-less, with a single late-19th-century quote).

So the two words would seem to have diverged after the first ( homework ) took on a specialized meaning relatively late in its life. Now let's find the courage to get back to doing either/both!

Community's user avatar

  • So you did found it in the OED? –  Alenanno Commented Apr 3, 2011 at 22:56
  • Aye, but not as "housework," but as "house-work" and "house work." The Brits prefer 'em hyphens & spaces, it seems. –  Percy P. Commented Apr 3, 2011 at 23:38
  • 1 I did find it as "housework" at dictionary.reference.com/browse/housework . I do believe American English tends to lose the hyphens in words more quickly than British English, but I am no linguis. That is just speculation. –  ssakl Commented Apr 4, 2011 at 15:21

I think it's pretty clear housework came first, as shown by this . Apart from anything else, the activity now called homework probably didn't actually occur very often in a world where many children either didn't go to school at all, or had limited access to books, writing materials, etc. at home.

But it's worth mentioning that some (non-working) women who don't really like to call themselves (or be called) a 'housewife' will accept 'home-maker'. There are various subtle differences between house and home , but they're pretty much the same thing in most contexts, notwithstanding the 1964 song A House Is Not a Home .

FumbleFingers's user avatar

  • 1 This 'subtle difference' in particular is one that I have always found very interesting. It makes the English language appear quite sweet (Home suggests 'family' - a 'lived-in' house). Many other languages don't have this same distinction, though they interestingly are both of Germanic origin. –  Karl Commented Apr 3, 2011 at 18:58

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Ask Difference

Homework vs. Assignment — What's the Difference?

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Difference Between Homework and Assignment

Table of contents, key differences, comparison chart, compare with definitions, common curiosities, can homework be considered an assignment, can assignments be collaborative, do all assignments count towards final grades, what is an assignment, are assignments only given for completion outside of class, is homework effective in improving academic performance, how much time should be spent on homework, why are assignments important in education, how does homework differ from classwork, what is homework, what role does feedback play in assignments, do assignments help in learning beyond the classroom, how can students manage homework effectively, why might some students struggle with assignments, what strategies can teachers use to make assignments more effective, share your discovery.

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Differentiated Homework: What it is, Benefits and How to Apply

Author: Bethany Spencer

Posted: 17 Apr 2018

Estimated time to read: 5 mins

Differentiated instruction in education has been a practice which schools and educators have been embracing since the 1960s. The concept of differentiated instruction was born from the want and need to cater for large numbers of students in single classes so they could all individually learn effectively.

In practice, teachers offer students different avenues to learning so they can all progress and learn, within this teachers will have different expectations for students’ individual needs providing them with their own personalised instruction.

What is differentiated homework?

Differentiated homework is an extension of differentiated instruction that happens outside of the classroom. When working in mixed ability classes and following the method of differentiated instruction, the homework teachers set also needs to be differentiated in order to extend students’ learning outside of school.

This will further students’ progression and provide them with effective personalised learning. One-size fits all teaching doesn’t work, and the same applies for homework - in fact, it’s even less effective than having a blanket approach for lesson plans as (if you’re following conventional teaching methods)  there’s no teacher to provide guidance if students are assigned homework which they struggle to complete.

Execution 

Personalising homework for each student is inevitably going to be time consuming and because of this, it isn’t feasible. When looking at how to differentiate homework, grouping students based on similar abilities or learning styles will make planning differentiated homework easier and will follow the same process as when you are lesson planning. Additionally, taking input from your students will help to steer their learning in the right direction and make the task of setting homework less strenuous on you.

Take differentiated instruction into consideration

Homework is an extension of knowledge learnt during class time. In order for homework to work and help students progress in their studies, they need to be able to complete it and in order for this to happen, it has to be matched to their ability.

Therefore, when planning your differentiated instruction lessons, think of homework as a separate extension for each instruction. Different directions and tasks will need to be assigned for different ability groups in order for them to learn effectively.

Deep Dive into Differentiated Homework

Clear communication

When differentiating homework you need to be clear in how you communicate the tasks students are expected to complete. Having multiple tasks to choose from can get confusing for students. If they aren’t clear about which task they’re meant to be completing for homework, it could result in students completing homework that is either above or below their capability which will be counterproductive to their progression.

Creating groups in class can be an easy way to get around this, and labelling homework in conjunction with these group names  to assign differentiation. Alternatively, if there aren’t set abilities in your class, clearly labelling the different tasks and displaying a list of names which correspond to each task if a simple way around it. When naming groups and tasks, be wary of how public these names are; generic or vague names are best and those that give indication toward the level of difficulty should be avoided.

Teach students how to choose well

Teaching students to think independently and become autonomous learners is part of our duty as educators - we can help to develop these transferable skills by teaching students the power of making choices that will benefit their learning.

Differentiated homework need not always be assigned to students, instead, it can be left for the class to decide which tasks would be most beneficial to them. Display the different tasks and ask students to complete the one they feel will be of the greatest help to them. This will help you to save time allocating tasks to specific students but also encourage autonomy in your class.

Give students good choices

Ultimately, the success of students’ differentiated learning comes down to the content they are being delivered. In order for your differentiated homework to provide students with effective learning and to help them progress, students need to achieve their best, and the content needs to be good quality.

The effort you put into creating standard homework tasks should be replicated in each variation of differentiated homework you offer your students to ensure they are getting the intended results from them. This includes ensuring your homework has a clear purpose, is efficient, that students take ownership, it appeals to them aesthetically and information is clear.

Don’t overwork yourself

Creating multiple different pieces of homework to support differentiation can be a lot of work on top of your already demanding workload. However, integrating this into your original planning will help to make the task more manageable.

It’s important to remember that not all tasks lend themselves to differentiation, so not every piece of homework needs variations. Additionally, remember that not every task needs new content created - you will already have an abundance of tasks and resources readily available to you that you can use.

Benefits of differentiated homework

  • There is no single way in which homework can be differentiated which means it can be personalised for your individual students and classes. Having the ability to differentiate home-learning based on amount, skill area, purpose and difficulty means that students are getting work assigned to them which will assist in them being successful in their studies.
  • Delivering differentiated and personalised homework tasks can help to improve completion rates of homework. Common reasons for students not completing homework is due to it being too difficult or them simply not being engaged in the task. Differentiating work based on ability and learning styles makes tasks more appealing to students, making their desire to complete work increase and completion rates to rise.
  • With large and mixed ability classes becoming ever more the norm within UK secondary schools, differentiating homework alongside instruction is the best and most effective way to cater to the varying needs of students in your classroom.
  • Differentiation promotes an inclusive and personalised classroom. Students’ learning styles are catered to, mixed ability classes are able to progress at their own rate and  SEN pupils are involved in home-learning so that students can all learn effectively. 

Differentiated homework and Show My Homework

Differentiation is at the core of teaching and learning today, and as a result, should be reflected in homework. The process of setting differentiated homework can be overwhelming and time-consuming which is why Show My Homework has its own Differentiated Homework feature.

Show My Homework acts as a school’s centralised point for homework whereby teachers upload their own homework content into cleanly formatted templates which students then have access to 24/7 with any supporting documents or links attached. In order to further support differentiation and personalised content, Show My Homework have developed a feature that easily allows teachers to assign differentiated homework to classes through the setting of separate ‘trays’.

By making the setting of differentiated homework this simple, teachers are more inclined to choose this style of homework task, and as a result, students will receive home-learning that will help them progress most effectively.

Differentiated Homework Deep Dive

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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

Please submit your feedback for homework, n.

Please include your email address if you are happy to be contacted about your feedback. OUP will not use this email address for any other purpose.

Citation details

Factsheet for homework, n., browse entry.

IMAGES

  1. Detailed Guide about Different Types of Homework That Students Must

    homework different meaning

  2. PPT

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  3. PPT

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  5. Your Homework: Same Word, Different Meaning

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  6. homework , Meaning of homework , Definition of homework , Pronunciation of homework

    homework different meaning

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COMMENTS

  1. 159 Synonyms & Antonyms for HOMEWORK

    Find 159 different ways to say HOMEWORK, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.

  2. HOMEWORK

    HOMEWORK - Synonyms, related words and examples | Cambridge English Thesaurus

  3. HOMEWORK Synonyms: 11 Similar Words

    Synonyms for HOMEWORK: schoolwork, lesson, reading, lecture, assignment, practise, practice, exercise, drill, study

  4. What is another word for homework

    Work or research that is done in preparation for a task or project. legwork. groundwork. preparation. research. reading. fact-finding. reading up. spadework.

  5. Homework synonyms

    423 other terms for homework- words and phrases with similar meaning

  6. Top 10 Positive Synonyms for "Homework" (With Meanings & Examples

    The top 10 positive & impactful synonyms for "homework" are study tasks, learning projects, academic exercises, study assignments, educational tasks, knowledge practice, study work, learning exercises, academic tasks, and skill-building activities. Using these synonyms helps you enhance both your communication and psychological resilience ...

  7. HOMEWORK in Thesaurus: 100+ Synonyms & Antonyms for HOMEWORK

    What's the definition of Homework in thesaurus? Most related words/phrases with sentence examples define Homework meaning and usage.

  8. Homework Definition & Meaning

    The meaning of HOMEWORK is piecework done at home for pay. 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. Games & Quizzes; Games & Quizzes; Word of the Day ...

  9. HOMEWORK

    HOMEWORK definition: 1. work that teachers give their students to do at home: 2. work that teachers give their students…. Learn more.

  10. Synonyms of 'homework' in British English

    Synonyms for HOMEWORK: studying, study, preparation, rereading, revision, cramming, prep, swotting, schoolwork, homework, …

  11. 7 Types of Homework for Students (2024)

    7 Types of Homework for Students. There are seven types of homework. These are practice, preparation, extension, integration, research, application, and flipped homework. Each type of homework has its own role for students learning. The important task for teachers is to select homework that will best provide holistic support to a student.

  12. homework noun

    Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. Toggle navigation. ... 1 work that is given by teachers for students to do at home I still haven't done my geography homework. How much homework do you get? I have to write up the notes for homework. compare classwork Topic Collocations Education ...

  13. homework noun

    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.

  14. 5 Ways to Make Homework More Meaningful

    1. Less is More. A 2017 study analyzed the homework assignments of more than 20,000 middle and high school students and found that teachers are often a bad judge of how long homework will take. According to researchers, students spend as much as 85 minutes or as little as 30 minutes on homework that teachers imagined would take students one ...

  15. What is the Difference Between Homework and Assignment

    The main difference between homework and assignment is that homework is a task or a work assigned to a student generally by a teacher to be completed outside the classroom setting, most probably at home, while an assignment is a task assigned to a student to be completed within the course of a particular study.. Assignments and homework vary from one another due to a wide range of distinctive ...

  16. HOMEWORK

    HOMEWORK meaning: 1. work that teachers give their students to do at home: 2. work that teachers give their students…. Learn more.

  17. HOMEWORK Definition & Meaning

    Homework definition: schoolwork assigned to be done outside the classroom (distinguished from classwork).. See examples of HOMEWORK used in a sentence.

  18. Homework in Different Languages. Translate, Listen, and Learn

    Translation Meaning Sentences. Homework in Different Languages: Please find below many ways to say homework in different languages. This page features translation of the word "homework" to over 100 other languages. We also invite you to listen to audio pronunciation in more than 40 languages, so you could learn how to pronounce homework and how ...

  19. Etymology of "housework" and "homework"

    7. In American English (perhaps British as well), "housework" and "homework" have different meanings. "Housework" refers to working around the house, such as dusting, vacuuming, etc., whereas "homework" refers to doing some school assignments at home, after school is out. Homework can be completed outside the home, such as in a library.

  20. Homework Definition & Meaning

    1. : work that a student is given to do at home. Please do/finish your homework. She started her algebra homework. — compare classwork. 2. : research or reading done in order to prepare for something — used in the phrase do your homework. The candidate did his homework [=studied the issues] before the debate.

  21. Homework vs. Assignment

    Homework is designed to reinforce what has been taught in class, requiring students to practice or integrate skills and knowledge independently. Whereas, assignments may encompass a wider range of tasks including projects, research, and practice work, which can be done both in and out of class. While homework typically focuses on reinforcing ...

  22. Differentiated Homework: What it is, Benefits and How to Apply

    Differentiated homework need not always be assigned to students, instead, it can be left for the class to decide which tasks would be most beneficial to them. Display the different tasks and ask students to complete the one they feel will be of the greatest help to them. This will help you to save time allocating tasks to specific students but ...

  23. homework, n. meanings, etymology and more

    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. See meaning & use. How common is the noun homework? About 5 occurrences per million words in modern written English . 1750: 0.0054: 1760: 0.0036: 1770: 0.0017: 1780: 0: 1790: