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.
. . . 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.
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.
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!
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