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. (adjective) Many factories produce too much pollution. (verb) 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. (noun) 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 bear (N) bear (V) date (N) date (V) fast (Adj) fast (V) hide (N) hide (V) net (N) net (Adj) pick (N) pick (V) differences* bear (N): a kind of animal bear (V): to carry date (N): a kind of fruit; a calendar time date (V): to determine the age; to "go out" fast (Adj): quick fast (V): to abstain from (choose not to eat) food hide (N): animal skin hide (V): to conceal net (N): woven trap made of rope or cord net (Adj): amount remaining after deductions pick (N): a kind of tool 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* ddress (N) addrss (V) cmpress (N) comprss (V) xport (N) exprt (V) differences address (N): where one lives address (V): to give a speech; to write an address compress (N): medicine put on a cloth and worn next to the skin compress (V): press together export (N): something that is exported export (V): to send a product outside a country (to be sold)
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nsult (N) inslt (V) cnvert (N) convrt (Adj)

nsult (N): insulting action or words inslt (V): to say or do something which is offensive or rude convert (N): someone who has changed from one group (for example, a religion) to another convert (V): to change from one form to another desert (N): dry place desert (V): abandon

dsert (N) desrt (V)

There are also homographs with the same spelling, but different pronunciations and meanings. Here are a few examples: read (present tense--pronounced [ ryd ] / read (past tense--pronounced [ red ] lead (verb--pronounced [ lyd ] / lead (noun [Pb]--pronounced [ led ] do (noun [music]--pronounced [ du ] / do (verb--pronounced [ dw ]

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)

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 someones 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

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 pt and pte 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!]

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;rihLAYto 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 resign] Resume reeZOOM- to restart; REHZoomay- a document of experience [also rsum; 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 [secrte, 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

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)
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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 (adverb 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 onetrick 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)
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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
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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
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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 Nol 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 expos Lame and lam Pique and piqu Pot English noun; or, 'pot pourri' (the latter pronunciation is a one-trick word) Resume and resum. Sake English noun; or, rice wine

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