heteronym

Plural: heteronyms

Noun

• two words are heteronyms if they are spelled the same way but differ in pronunciation
  • "the word `bow' is an example of a heteronym"
• A word having the same spelling as another but a different meaning, and, often, a different pronunciation.
• A fictitious character created by an author for the purpose of writing in a different style.

Examples

• The word agape, "astonished" or "wide open," is a heteronym of agape, "Christian love."
• The word lead (/ˈlɛd/), for the metal, and lead (/ˈliːd/), for a leash, are heteronyms.

Related Words

alternative pronunciation, alternative spelling, different, distinct, heterophone & heterograph, heterophone & homograph, homonym, homophone, homophone & heterograph, homophone & homograph, identical, polyphone, same, synonym