homograph

[ hom-uh-graf, -grahf, hoh-muh- ]

noun

1. a word of the same written form as another but of different meaning and usually origin, whether pronounced the same way or not, as bear 1 “to carry; support” and bear 2 “animal” or lead 1 “to conduct” and lead 2 “metal.”

homograph

/ ˈhɒməˌɡræf; -ˌɡrɑːf /

noun

1. one of a group of words spelt in the same way but having different meanings Compare heteronym

Derived Forms

• ˌhomoˈgraphic, adjective

Other Words From

• hom·o·graph·ic [hom-, uh, -, graf, -ik, hoh-m, uh, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of homograph¹

First recorded in 1800–10; homo- + -graph

Synonym Study

See homonym.