homographic
Identically written, differently meant
Homographic describes words that share the same spelling but have different meanings or origins.
The noun form is homograph.
Two words spelled b-a-n-k are homographic: one means a financial institution, the other a riverbank.
Homographic words may or may not be pronounced the same way—lead the metal and lead the verb are homographs with different pronunciations.
Same spelling, different sound
- homonymWord with twin sound
- homophoneIdentically pronounced, differently spelled word
- polysemyWord having related meanings
- spellingCorrect letter sequence
written form · same spelling · grapheme · lexeme · ambiguity · dictionary entry · headword · lemma
Respectful forward inclination
read · live · minute · row · desert · object · present · record
Word having related meanings
- denotationWord's explicit dictionary meaning
- connotationImplied sense, not dictionary
- interpretationAssigned meaning
- lexicographyCompiling word reference books
synonymy · definition · usage · signification
Wordplay using double meanings
- double meaningOne phrase, two senses
- double-entendreWords with suggestive second meaning
- witClever, inventive humor
- humorAmusing quality
ambiguity · joke · cleverness · paronomasia · wordsmith · playfulness · banter · quip
Same spelling, different sound
- stress patternSyllable emphasis arrangement
- articulationClear vocal expression
- enunciationClarity of spoken words
- syllable stressEmphasis on word segments
prosody · intonation · phonology · pronunciation key · diacritical · phoneme
heteronym
Same spelling, different sound
- homonymWord with twin sound
- homophoneIdentically pronounced, differently spelled word
- polysemyWord having related meanings
spelling · written form · same spelling · grapheme · lexeme · ambiguity · dictionary entry · headword · lemma · visual identity
bow
Respectful forward inclination
bass · read · live · minute · row · desert · object · present · record · refuse
polysemy
Word having related meanings
- denotationWord's explicit dictionary meaning
- connotationImplied sense, not dictionary
- interpretationAssigned meaning
lexicography · synonymy · definition · usage · signification
pun
Wordplay using double meanings
- double meaningOne phrase, two senses
- double-entendreWords with suggestive second meaning
- witClever, inventive humor
humor · ambiguity · joke · cleverness · paronomasia · wordsmith · playfulness · banter · quip · irony
heteronym
Same spelling, different sound
- stress patternSyllable emphasis arrangement
- articulationClear vocal expression
- enunciationClarity of spoken words
syllable stress · prosody · intonation · phonology · pronunciation key · diacritical · phoneme