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 bear1 “to carry; support” and bear2 “animal” or lead1 “to conduct” and lead2 “metal.”

Origin of homograph

1
First recorded in 1800–10; homo- + -graph

synonym study For homograph

See homonym.

Other words from homograph

  • hom·o·graph·ic [hom-uh-graf-ik, hoh-muh-], /ˌhɒm əˈgræf ɪk, ˌhoʊ mə-/, adjective

Words that may be confused with homograph

Words Nearby homograph

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for homograph

homograph

/ (ˈhɒməˌɡræf, -ˌɡrɑːf) /


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

Derived forms of homograph

  • homographic, adjective

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