Heteronyms

A heteronym is a word having a different pronunciation and meaning as another word, but the same spelling. Sometimes the stress is on a different syllable and sometimes the stress remains the same, but only the pronunciation of the vowel changes.

You will find fruits and vegetables in the produce section. () Many factories produce too much pollution. ()

He was a famous Polish actor in the 1960's. (adjective) We need to polish all of the furniture and silverware. (verb)

It's very dangerous to use lead paint. (adjective) The cowboys lead the cattle to the ranch. (verb)

The boy received a present from his grandmother. () We are going to present our idea at the meeting. (verb)

This TV show is always broadcast live. (adjective) Where do kangaroos and koalas live? (verb)

A dove is a white bird that symbolizes peace. (noun) The swimmers dove into the pool several times. (verb)

The treasure hunter discovered a valuable object in the tomb. (noun) Lawyers often object to questions during a trial. (verb)

What was your favorite subject in school? Math, science, history? (noun) New drugs are subject to many tests before they are approved. (verb)

They had been lost in the desert for almost a week. (noun) The soldier decided to desert the army one day. (verb)

She is very close to finishing her essay for literature class. (adjective) Please close the door and windows when you leave. (verb)

Are you going to read the sports section of the newspaper? (verb - present tense) I've already read this book three times. (verb - past tense)

The little girl wore a pretty pink bow in her hair. (noun) The dancers always bow after their performances. (verb)

She must have been sad because I saw a tear on her cheek. (noun) Be careful not to accidentally tear the paper. (verb) Subgroup 1:

These common words have the same spelling and pronunciation, but very different meanings and/or origins. Common examples: homographs differences* bear (N) bear (N): a kind of animal bear (V) bear (V): to carry date (N) date (N): a kind of fruit; a calendar time date (V) date (V): to determine the age; to "go out" fast (Adj) fast (Adj): quick fast (V) fast (V): to abstain from (choose not to eat) food hide (N) hide (N): animal skin hide (V) hide (V): to conceal net (N) net (N): woven trap made of rope or cord net (Adj) net (Adj): amount remaining after deductions pick (N) pick (N): a kind of tool pick (V) pick (V): to choose

* Check an English-English dictionary or an etymological dictionary to see the different origins of many of these words.

Subgroup 2:

These words have the same spelling, but different stress. The stress changes for the noun and verb forms of these words. Examples: homographs* differences áddress (N) address (N): where one lives addréss (V) address (V): to give a speech; to write an address cómpress (N) compress (N): medicine put on a cloth compréss (V) and worn next to the skin compress (V): press together

éxport (N) export (N): something that is exported expórt (V) export (V): to send a product outside a country (to be sold)

2 ínsult (N) ínsult (N): insulting action or words insúlt (V) insúlt (V): to say or do something which is offensive or rude cónvert (N) convert (N): someone who has changed convért (Adj) from one group (for example, a religion) to another convert (V): to change from one form to another désert (N) desert (N): dry place desért (V) desert (V): abandon

There are also homographs with the same spelling, but different pronunciations and meanings. Here are a few examples:

read (present tense--pronounced [ ríyd ] / read (past tense--pronounced [ red ]

lead (verb--pronounced [ líyd ] / lead (noun [Pb]--pronounced [ led ]

do (noun [music]--pronounced [ dóu ] / do (verb--pronounced [ dúw ]

ADdress (noun – the location of a building) adDRESS (verb – to write down an address OR to speak to a group of people) COMpound (noun – something made of two or more parts) comPOUND (verb – to combine or add)

3 CONtest (noun – a game or event of competition) conTEST (verb – to challenge or dispute) CONtract (noun – a written agreement) conTRACT (verb – to make smaller in size) DEcrease (noun – the total reduction in the amount of something) deCREASE (verb – to become smaller in amount) DIgest (noun – a compilation of information) diGEST (verb – to break down food in the stomach) ENtrance (noun – a place of access such as a door or gate) enTRANCE (verb – to completely captivate someone’s attention) EXtract (noun – something taken from a larger work or substance) exTRACT (verb – to remove or pull out) INcline (noun – a slope or hill) inCLINE (verb – to lean, tip, or tilt something) INcrease (noun – the amount that something has grown) inCREASE (verb – to become greater or larger) OFfense (noun – the players on a sports team that attack or advance) ofFENSE (noun – an illegal act) PERfect (adjective – something that is as good as it can possibly be) perFECT (verb – to improve or make something as good as possible) PREsent (noun – a gift) preSENT (verb – to show or give something formally) PROduce (noun – food that has been grown, such as vegetables) proDUCE (verb – to make or create something) PROject (noun – a large or extended task or piece of work) proJECT (verb – to estimate, forecast or predict) PROtest (noun – an group of people organized to display objection to something) proTEST (verb – to express an objection) REcord (noun – a written account of information) reCORD (verb – to keep or store information for future use) REfund (noun – the amount of money returned to someone) reFUND (verb – the action of giving money back to someone) REject (noun – an item that is defective or inadequate) reJECT (verb – to refuse to accept something) SUBject (noun – the topic of a conversation or a book) subJECT (verb – to cause or force something to undergo a process) TRANSport (noun – a system for moving objects or items) transPORT (verb – to carry or move goods from one place to another) UPset (noun – an unexpected defeat of a champion sports team) upSET (adjective – to be disturbed or extremely unhappy)

Affect ehFEKT- to change; AFFekt- a person's feelings or emotion 4 Alternate ALternit- the next choice; ALternait- switch back and forth

Are AHR- plural present tense of "to be"; AIR- 100 square meters (1/100th of a hectare) [although may also be pronounced AHR]

Ares AIRS- 100 square meter units [plural]; AIReez- Greek god of war [capitalized]

Attribute ahTRIByoot- to consider resulting from; AHtribyoot- a characteristic of someone (12)

August AUgust- month [capitalized]; auGUST- important, eminent

Axes AKsiz- more than one ax or axe; AKseez- the plural of axis

Bass BASE- a string instrument; (rhymes with mass)- a fish

Bow BAU- to lower one's head or the front of a ship; BOH- used to shoot arrows

Bowed BAU-d- to bend over; BOH-d- bent

Buffet BUFFet- to pound or bump; booFAY- place where you serve yourself

Close CLOZE- to shut; CLOS- near

Combine komBYNE- put together; KOMbyne- a threshing machine

Conduct KONduckt- behavior; kunDUCKT- to lead (see this heteronym below)

Conflict kunFLIKT- to act against; KAHNflict- a fight or disagreement

Console KAHNsole- an upright case; kunSOLE- to comfort

Content KAHNtent- meaning; kunTENT- satisfied

Contest kunTEST- to argue; KAHNtest- a match of skill

Contract CONtract- an agreement; conTRACT- to shrink or to agree on a project

Convert conVERT- to change one's belief; CONvert- one whose belief was changed

Converse KAHNvers- the opposite; kunVERS- to talk

Convict kunVIKT- to find guilty; KAHNvikt- a prisoner

Crooked KROOKt- to bend your neck; KROOK-ed- having a curve

Deliberate diLIBerit- carefully considered; diLIBerATE- to consider

Desert dihZURT- to leave ; DEZert- arid region

Digest DYEjest- collection of published material; dieJEST- absorb nutrients

Do DOO- to accomplish; DOE- a musical note

Does DUZ- performs; DOZE- more than one female deer 5 Dove DUV- a bird; DOEV- jumped off

Drawer DROR- the compartment you pull out from the dresser; DRAWer- one who draws

Excuse EKskyooz- to let someone off; EKskyoos- a reason or explanation

House HAUS- a building that serves as living quarters; HOWZ- to provide with living quarters

Incense INsens- burnt aromatic; inSENS- to make angry

Intern INtern- a physician in training; inTERN- confine to prescribed area

Invalid inVALLid- not valid; INvallid- an ill person

Laminate LAMinate- to construct by adding layers; LAMinit [although both pronunciations are listed]- the cover itself

Lather (rhymes with rather)- foam or suds; (rhymes with bath fur)- a worker who installs lath (lattice work)

Lead LEED- to guide; LED- a metallic element

Minute MINNit- 60 seconds; myNOOT- tiny

Moderate MODerit- keeping within reason; MODerATE- to preside over

Mow MOH- to cut grass; MAU- a pile of hay

Multiply MULLtihPLIE- multiply two numbers; MULLtihplee- in a multiple manner

Number NUMber- one, two, three …; NUMMER- more numb [many dictionaries do not list this use, which suggests that "more numb" is preferred; however, the listed use is given in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition, Electronic version.]

Nun NUN- women in religious order; NOON- 14th letter in Hebrew alphabet

Object ubJEKT- to complain; AHBjekt- a thing

Pasty PAstee- like glue; PASStee- a meat pie

Pate PAIT- a bald head; paTAY- a minced food; PAHT- a porcelain paste [diacritics in pâté and pâte don't count!]

Perfect PERfekt- exactly correct; perFEKT- to make correct

Periodic PEEReeODDik- occasional; PUREeyeODDik- an iodine compound

Permit perMIT- to allow some event to occur; PERmit [although both pronunciations are listed]- a document giving permission

Polish POElish- from Poland; PAHLish- shine [capitalization doesn't count!]

6 Present PREZent- a gift; preeSENT- to give a talk

Primer PRIHMer- an elementary book; PRYmer- the preparatory coat of paint

Produce PROdoos- vegetables; proDOOS- bring forth

Project proJEKT- to show a movie; PRAHjekt- a task

Pussy PUHSee- having pus; POOHSee; a kitten

Raven RAYven- black bird; RAVen- hungry

Rebel REBBell- a resister; rihBELL- to resist

Record RECKord- a list; reKORD- to write down

Recreation rek-ree-Ashun- pastime; REEcreeAshun- remake (also, recreate)

Refuse reFUSE- to deny; REFFyoos- garbage

Relay reeLAY- to put it down again, such as a carpet; REElay- a race by teams;rihLAY- to pass along, such as information [One of our dictionaries gives these pronunciations, but does not distinguish meanings among the latter two. The pronunciation may vary among individuals.]

Rerun reRUN- to race again or to repeat a show on television; RErun- a repeated TV show

Reside: reZIDE- to stay put; RE-SYD- [Slang] to change places (change teams) [usu. hyphenated as re-side] (

Resign reZYN- to quit; reSYN- to sign again (e.g., a contract) [usu. hyphenated as re- sign]

Resume reeZOOM- to restart; REHZoomay- a document of experience [also résumé; diacritics don't count!]

Row ROH- a line; ROUW- a fight

Sake SAHkey- alcoholic drink; SAYK- a purpose

Secrete seeKREET- to discharge; sehKRET- an armored skullcap [secrète, diacritics don't count!]

Secreted seeKREETed- having put out; SEEkrehted- placed out of sight

Separate SEPerATE- to divide into groups; SEPret- not joined together

Sewer SOwer- one who sews; SOOwer- place for human waste

Slough SLUFF- the outer layer of skin of a snake; [rhymes with OW!]- a hole of deep mud or mire; SLOO- a marshy pond

Sow SOUW- a pig; SO- to plant seed

7 Subject SUBjekt- the theme; subJEKT- to force upon someone

Tear TARE- to rip; TEER- fluid in eye

Wind WHINEd- to coil up; WINd- the blowing air

Wound WOOND- to injure; WOWND- coiled up

• Affect (verb) and affect (noun, in psychology) • Agape (a mouth) and agape (theological term for Christian love , and also a term for a Church social event) • Alternate (adjective) and alternate (verb) • Appropriate (adjective) and appropriate (verb) • Bases (plural of basis) and bases (plural of base, but also a near-homonym for basis) • Bass (fish) and bass (voice) • Bow (defer) and bow (for violin) • Buffet and buffet • Close (adjective) and close (verb) • Console (verb) and console (noun) • Contents (noun) and contents (verb, usually reflexive, third person singular; but also works in the first person with the singular form of the noun) • Contract and contract • Contrary and contrary • Converse (verb) and converse (noun) • Coordinates (verb) and coordinates (mathematical or cartological noun) • Defect (verb) and defect (noun) • Delegate (verb) and delegate (noun) • Denier (one who denies something, such as the holocaust) and denier (unit of measurement for the fineness of silk, nylon and other fabrics) • Desert (noun) and desert (verb), though the latter is a homophone for dessert (noun) • Deliberate (adjective) and deliberate (verb) • Does (verb) and does (plural noun) • Dogged (one syllable) and dogged (two syllables) • Dove (the bird) and dove (past tense of dive) • Entrance (noun) and entrance (verb) • Essay (noun) and essay (verb) • Evening (noun) and evening (verb) • Grave (to rhyme with 'halve') and grave (to rhyme with 'gave') • Import (verb) and import (noun; for example, close synonym for importance) • Incense (noun) and incense (verb) • Invalid (adjective) and invalid (noun) • Intimate (adjective) and intimate (verb) • Lead (metal) and lead (verb) • Lied (musical noun) and lied (verb, past tense) 8 • Liver (internal organ) and liver ("a name arbitrarily given to the bird figured in the arms of the city of Liverpool", according to the dictionary). • Minute (noun) and minute (adjective) • Moped (noun) and moped (verb, past perfect tense) • None (to rhyme with "nun") and none (may be attended by a nun) • Number (noun) and number (relative form of numb) • Pace (by the leave of) and pace (footstep/speed) • Pasty (noun) and pasty (adjective) • Plaque and plaque • Present (verb) and present (noun) • Project (noun) and project (verb) • Pussy (adjective) and pussy (noun, meaning cat. Settle down, class.) • Putting (not golf) and putting (golf) • Recreation and recreation • Recover (from illness or other misfortune) and recover (while restoring furniture, for example) • Refuse (verb) and refuse (noun) • Routed (in battle) and routed (via a computer network) • Row (argue, argument) and row (line) • Seconded and seconded • Severer (more severe) and severer (one who severs) • Sewer (one who sews) and sewer (sanitation infrastructure) • Sin (mathematical) and sin (theological). This is a triple heteronym, according to someone who knows better than I how to pronounce Sin, the Akkadian god of the moon. • Skied (past tense of ski) and skied (an old cricketing term, according to the OED) • Slough (verb) and slough (noun) • Sow (noun) and sow (verb) • Supply (verb or noun) and supply ( from 'supple'; this spelling is preferable to 'supplely', according to the Oxford Spelling Dictionary.) • Swinging and swinging (alternative spelling of 'swingeing', according to the OED) • Tear (verb) and tear (noun) • Tier (noun, one who ties something) and tier (noun, a level or layer) • Unionized (meaning formed a union) and unionized (reverse of ionized) • Wicked (two syllables) and wicked (one syllable) • Wind (noun) and wind (verb, to rhyme with bind) • Whoops (verb) and whoops (exclamation) • Whooping (in which the 'h' is silent) and whooping, in which the 'w' is silent. Since the latter only occurs in 'whooping cough', this is a one- trick heteronym. • Worsted (yarn or fabric) and worsted (opposite of bested) • Wound (noun) and wound (past tense of wind) • Zoon (two syllables; scientific noun) and zoon (one syllable; verb, meaning a style of preaching or praying) 9 Some of the above have derivative heteronyms - for example, windy (full of wind) and windy (as in, twists and turns).

The following heteronyms seem to me to be artificial, in that one form only occurs in crosswords:

• Flower (as in horticulture) and flower (something that flows, such as a river) • Shower (as in rain) and shower (someone who shows) • Tower and tower (one who tows)

The Oxford Engish Grammar notes that heteronyms include "a number of words where the stress varies in speech according to whether the word is functioning either as a verb or as a noun or adjective", and lists

• Conduct • Convict • Permit • Rebel • Absent • Perfect and readers of this web page have contributed: • Abuse and abuse • Alloy and alloy • Analyses (noun) and analyses (verb, British spelling) • Attribute and attribute • Conflict and conflict • Construct and construct • Contest and contest • Contrast and contrast • Convert and convert • Crooked and crooked • Discard and discard • Elaborate and elaborate • Escort and escort • Excuse and excuse • Frequent and frequent • Graduate and graduate • House and house • Impact and impact • Imprint and imprint • Lives and lives • Mandate and mandate • Object and object

10 • Precipitate and precipitate • Produce and produce • Progress and progress • Protest and protest • Recall and recall • Recoil and recoil • Record and record • Reject and reject • Retard and retard (the noun form being American) • Separate and separate • Subject and subject • Survey and survey • Suspect and suspect • Syndicate and syndicate • Torment and torment • Use and use and the following Americanism:

• Impact and impact

Here are some variations on this:

• chassis (singular) and chassis (plural) • degenerate (verb) and degenerate (adjective or noun) • learned (verb, past tense, one syllable) and learned (adjective, two syllables) • live (verb) and live (adjective) • read (verb, present tense) and read (verb, past tense)

Another subgroup is heteronym pairs in which one word is capitalised (typically, a proper noun), and the other is not:

• August (adjective) and August (proper noun) • Begin and begin • Degas and degas • Job and job • Natal and natal • Nice and nice • Noel (the feast of Christmastide) and Noel (name) • Oregon. A resident of the American state tells me that it is pronounced "Oregin", which makes it a heteronym for the (several) towns that are pronounced "Oregon". • Polish and polish • Rainier and rainier • Reading and reading

11 • Seat (the car) and seat • Tangier (in Morocco) and tangier (more tangy)

According to the dictionary (draft revision published online 2003) Noel in the sense of "the feast of Christmas tide" is an English word, but Noël in the sense of a Christmas carol derives from the French and is therefore sometimes seen with an accent. This leads to one more list of heteronyms: those arising when a foreign word is absorbed into the English language:

Double and double as in double entendre Expose and exposé Lame and lamé Pique and piqué Pot English noun; or, 'pot pourri' (the latter pronunciation is a one-trick word) Resume and resumé. Sake English noun; or, rice wine

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