Heteronyms
Heteronyms are words that are spelled the same but have different meanings.
Words like tear (prounced TARE meaning rip or cut) and
tear (pronounced TEER meaning liquid shed from our eyes due to pain or happiness) are examples of
heteronyms.
Homonyms, homographs, and heteronyms share some similarities while being distinctly
different.
The word heteronyms comes from combining the Greek prefix hetero (ετερο)
meaning "other" or "different" and suffix onyma (ονωμα) meaning "name." So, the spelling is the same
but the meaning is 'other' or different.
Some common heteronyms are listed below with an example for each.
abuse (a-BYOOZ) = abuse a substance
abuse (a-BYOOS) = substance abuse
bow (BAHW) = port, starboard, bow, and stern
bow (BOE) = bow tie
close (KLOS) = close call
close (KLOZ) = close the window
desert (DEZ-urt) = dry, arid place with little rain
desert (di-ZURT) = abandon, leave
entrance (EN-truns) = door, place to go in at
entrance (en-TRANS) = cause delight, spellbind
fine (FINE) = nice, a fine day
fiine (FEE-nay) = musical term, ending
incense (in-SENS) = infuriate
incense (IN-sens) = perfumed sticks for burning
lead (LED) = common metal
lead (LEED) = direct, show the way
object (ob-JEKT) = disapprove
object (OB-jekt) = a thing
pasty (PAY-stee) = paste-like
pasty (PASS-tee) = meat pie
supply (su-PLY) = provide, make provision
supply (SUP-lee) = in a supple or smooth way
wind (WIND) = moving air currents
wind (WINED) = to turn
To go to a page containing homonyms just click
on heteronyms.
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