heteronym

/ˈhɛɾərənɪm/

/ˈhɛtərənɪm/

Other forms: heteronyms

Heteronyms are words that look the same but have different sounds and meanings. See if you can spot the heteronyms in this sentence: "She got a bull's eye with her bow and arrow, then took a triumphant bow."

Heteronym is derived from the Greek heteros, "different," and onoma, "name." English is full of these confusing words, which language learners have to deduce from their context. "Don't stand too close while I close the door." Close, meaning "near," and close, meaning "shut," are heteronyms. "When I tear my favorite jeans, I shed a tear or two." Tear, meaning "rip," and tear, the drop that slides down your cheek when you're sad, are heteronyms, too.

Definitions of heteronym

1. noun

   a word spelled like another word with a different meaning and pronunciation
   “the word `bow' is an example of a heteronym”

   type of:

   word

   a unit of language that native speakers can identify