Linguistics & Word Confusions: Heteronym

Posted December 28, 2015 by Kathy Davie in Author Resources, Linguistics, Self-Editing, Word Confusions, Writing

Revised as of
7 Mar 2023

A type of linguistic word play, a heteronym is a subset of homograph, which is itself a subset of homonym.

If you break heteronym apart:

Hetero- means different, other

-onym means word, name

This means a heteronym is spelled the same but has a different sound and meaning. It may also comprise one or more words (one word is the most common).

The primary concern for a writer is not the spelling as they are similar but the meaning. It is possible to choose a word with one meaning while thinking it means something else. Confusing your readers can lead to bad reviews and dropping book sales.

Click here for a quick look at the differences between them -nyms, -graphs, -phones, and -semys.

d class=”bold gray”>bark (tree)

bark (dog)

Table 1. Quick Re-cap of Linguistic Word Play
Spelling Sounds Meaning Example
Homonym
same same different bark (tree)

bark (dog)

Homograph
same same
OR
different
different present (gift)

present (introduce)

Heteronym **
same different different row (argument)

row (of seats)

Paronym **
different different derivative childish from child

preface from prefatio

affect vs effect

Capitonym
same, except

1. Proper Noun
2. common noun

same
or
different
different

1. March (third month of the year)

2. march (high stepping)

Monosemy *
ONE word same only ONE meaning aunt
Polysemy *
same same
or
different
shares a common root mouth (hole in your face)

mouth (cave opening)

Homophone
same
or
different
same different rose (flower)

rose (past tense of rise)


fair

fare

Heterograph
different same different copy right (copy correctly)

copyright (patent)

copywrite (write copy)

* Monosemy is the opposite of polysemy.

** Paronym is the opposite of heteronym.

Linguistics is . . .

. . . the systematic study of the nature, structure, and variation of language (of which grammar is a part), which describes how people use language. For the writer, how words are used (or spelled!) determines a character’s social and educational level and the time period for the story.

As I discover more examples, also-known-ases, and additions, I’ll update this post. If you have a suggestion, I would appreciate you contacting me. If you found this post on “Heteronym” interesting, consider subscribing to KD Did It, if you’d like to track this post for future updates.

Return to top

Heteronym
Part of Speech: Linguistics, Semantics, Word Play, Figure of Speech
Definition: Words that are spelled alike, but pronounced differently and have different meanings. A type of homograph, and, yes, they are also considered homonyms.

A.k.a. heterophone

Examples:
Heteronym Pronunciation Meaning
lead /lĕd/

You can lead a horse to water . . .
lead /liːd/

A metal used in plumbing pipes, crystal gas, paint, etc.
Polish /ˈpōliSH/

He is of Polish extraction.
polish /ˈpäliSH/

Did you polish the table yesterday?
produce prəˈd(y)ōōs/

A factory will produce goods.
produce ˈpräd(y)ōōs,

The produce department at the grocery store has a sale on oranges.
refuse /riˈfyōōz/

I won’t do it. I refuse.
refuse /ˈrefˌyōōs/

Get that refuse off the table and into the garbage can.
tear /te(ə)r/

I got a rip in my jeans.
tear /tɛ(ə)r/

Don’t cry. I hate women’s tears.
wound /wōōnd/

He put a bandage on the wound.
wound wound

He wound his way through the maze.

Return to top or post contents

C’mon, get it out of your system, bitch, whine, moan . . . which words are your pet peeves? Also, please note that I try to be as accurate as I can, but mistakes happen or I miss something. Email me if you find errors, so I can fix them . . . and we’ll all benefit!

Satisfy your curiosity about other Linguistics posts by exploring its homepage or more generally explore the index of self-editing posts. You may also want to explore Book Layout & Formatting Ideas, Formatting Tips, Grammar Explanations, the Properly Punctuated, Word Confusions, Writing Ideas and Resources, and Working Your Website.

Return to top or post contents

Pinterest Credits

Free French Navy Triomphant, 1940, by Harold William John Tomlin and Wu Fu Portrait, which was uploaded by Jonathan Groß, are in the public domain, and both images are via Wikimedia Commons.

Kathy's KD Did It signature