Heteronyms Definition and Examples

The term heteronym has multiple definitions, depending on its usage referring to grammar, its use in linguistics, or its use in literature: In grammar, heteronyms are two or more words with the same spelling but different pronunciations and meanings. If using the term as an adjective, you would say the words are  heteronymous.  In some fields of linguistics, the term heteronym refers to locally different words (or regionalisms) for certain more widely used words in the language. For example, in parts of the American South, a sidewalk (U.S.) or pavement (U.K.) is called a banquette.In literature, the term heteronym sometimes refers to a writers creative alter ego or persona. This usage was introduced by Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa (1888–1935). Examples of Heteronyms (Definition No. 1) Whats better to learn a term by seeing examples? Check these out: You can lead (bring) someone to lead (the metallic element).So he plays everyone, the coach can alternate (switch) between the teams alternates (substitutes).You wont see many bass (fish) playing bass (musical instrument).The lawyer objected (raised a concern) to the object  (item) in Exhibit A.To you, I present (give) this present (gift).The convict  (person in jail) had been convicted (found guilty) of planning an escape.The Polish (heritage) lady polishes (shines) the silver.That permit (license) will permit (grant) you to build the addition onto your house.A clown  moped  around when the circus refusedFor him a new  moped  to buy.The  incense  he burned did  incense  him to goOn a  tear  with a  tear  in his eye. (Richard Lederer, A Hymn to Heteronyms.  The Word Circus: A Letter-Perfect Book. Merriam-Webster, 1998)Though the  invalid  looked pallid,Said her lover:Not to worry.Pessimism is  invalid. (Felicia Lamport and George Cooper, Theres a S ewer in the Sewer: A Primer for Heteronymphiles. 2000) When youre reading you just have to infer from the context of the text or the position of the word in the sentence (Is it being used as a  verb or noun?) to understand which word is meant. Compare and Contrast Grammar Types Heteronyms are a type of homograph, which is a set of words that have the same spelling but differ in meaning and sometimes in pronunciation.   Bruce M. Rowe and Diane P. Levin add, Heteronyms  are  homographs  that are not pronounced the same. The words  tear  (water in the eye) and  tear  (to rip) are heteronyms. Notice that the words  homonym, homograph, homophone, and  heteronym  have overlapping meanings.  (A Concise Introduction to Linguistics, 4th ed. Routledge, 2016).  Compare the above examples to the word  dust.  Dust  would not be a heteronym. It functions as a verb and a noun, but its pronounced the same way in both usages. Heteronyms are not the same as  homonyms, which have the same sound and spelling but different meanings. In contrast, homophones sound the same but are spelled differently. For additional examples, check out this list of 200 Homonyms, Homophones, and Homographs and a useful list of word-related terms, Name That -nym.