heteronym
Same spelling, different
Heteronyms are words spelled the same but pronounced differently with different meanings: lead (the metal) versus lead (to guide), tear (rip) versus tear (from crying), row (a line) versus row (a fight).
The term distinguishes these from homonyms, which sound alike.
English is full of heteronyms that confuse language learners.
Dense metal, symbol Pb
- readComprehend written language
- tearTo pull apart
- bowRespectful forward inclination
- windAir current outdoors
bass · live · row · minute · polish · content · dove · entrance
Shared spelling, separate meanings
- spellingCorrect letter sequence
- writtenComposed in text
- identicalExactly the same
- graphemeMinimal written symbol unit
orthography · script · letter · text · visual · read · lead · tear
Word having related meanings
- semanticsStudy of linguistic meaning
- phoneticsStudy of speech sounds
- prosodyStudy of verse rhythm
- lexicographyCompiling word reference books
morphology · etymology · ambiguity · pronunciation · stress · accent · intonation · syllable
lead
Dense metal, symbol Pb
wind · bass · live · row · minute · polish · content · dove · entrance · invalid
homograph
Shared spelling, separate meanings
grapheme · orthography · script · letter · text · visual · read · lead · tear · bow
polysemy
Word having related meanings
lexicography · morphology · etymology · ambiguity · pronunciation · stress · accent · intonation · syllable · phonology
- linguistic termsacronym, anagram, homophone, homograph, palindrome
- Author Identitiespen name, nom de plume, alias, ghost writer, anonymous author
- pen namespen names, pen name, nom de plume, alias, assumed name
- pseudonymspen name, pen names, pseudonyms, nom de plume, alias
- Word Mix-upshomophone, malapropism, spoonerism, eggcorn, mondegreen
- homographsalternate, bass, bow, close, compound
heteronymhomophone
Identically pronounced, differently spelled word
homonym · synonym · sound-alike · homograph