heteronym

[het-er-uh-nim]

noun

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

heteronym

/ ˈhɛtərəʊˌnɪm, ˌhɛtəˈrɒnɪməs /

noun

1. one of two or more words pronounced differently but spelt alike Compare homograph

   the two English words spelt ``bow'' are heteronyms

Other Word Forms

• heteronymously adverb
• heteronymous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of heteronym¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of heteronym¹

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

Example Sentences

Pessoa was best known for adopting multiple authorial identities and then writing in the differing styles of these “heteronyms.”

From Washington Post

His alter egos, or “heteronyms,” are on nearly every page.

From New York Times

This was particularly true of a writer like Pessoa, who actively played with various identities, sometimes allowing his heteronyms to correspond and criticize each other.

From Los Angeles Times

He was a whole galaxy of writers — heteronyms, as he called them, with entirely different personalities and different, often radically conflicting, views on poetry, style, nature, politics and the antique.

From New York Times

His heteronyms were addicted to their obscurity, vain about their privacy and pained when forced to “publish” their work.

From New York Times