heteronym

[ het-er-uh-nim ]

noun

a word spelled the same as another but having a different sound and meaning, as lead (to conduct) and lead (a metal).

Origin of heteronym

From the Late Greek word heterṓnymos, dating back to 1880–85. See hetero-, -onym

Words Nearby heteronym

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for heteronym

heteronym

/ (ˈhɛtərəʊˌnɪm) /

noun

one of two or more words pronounced differently but spelt alike: the two English words spelt ``bow'' are heteronyms Compare homograph

Origin of heteronym

C17: from Late Greek heteronumos, from Greek hetero- + onoma name

Derived forms of heteronym

heteronymous (ˌhɛtəˈrɒnɪməs), adjective
heteronymously, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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