What Are Heteronyms? The Ultimate Guide

What Is the Main Essence of Heteronyms?

The essence of heteronymy is that you see the same spelling, but when you pronounce it, you must choose the correct sound that corresponds to the meaning you need. And this often causes confusion, because there is no clear rule on how to read a particular word without knowing its meaning in a particular sentence. Later you will read about word examples of heteronyms.

The History of Heteronyms

SDH Semiotics Department of Heteronyms explored how word meanings shift with slight changes in pronunciation. Historically, heteronyms have arisen for several reasons, let's clarify how they lead to different pronunciation with the same spelling:

Different language roots: Often words from different languages, for example, Germanic and Romance, got into English, and it so happened that they had a similar spelling. At the same time, their original pronunciation and meaning were preserved.
Pronunciation Changes: The Great vowel shift has greatly changed the pronunciation of English words, but not always uniformly. Sometimes the same spelling could "fix" different pronunciation for different meanings if these meanings developed in different ways or came from different sources. The heteronyms words list is always expanding as our language is changing everyday.
The difference between a noun and a verb: Very often, heteronyms arise when the noun and verb are spelled the same way, but differ in stress and pronunciation of vowels. As a rule, in nouns the stress falls on the first syllable, and in verbs - on the second. These are classic cases of the English heteronyms.

the image of a blackboard with "History of English Language" on it

Homonyms VS Heteronyms

Here is difference between heteronyms and homonyms. Homonyms are words that look or sound the same but have different meanings. For example, "bank" (where you keep money) and "bank" (the side of a river) are homonyms. Let’s again define heteronyms - they are a special kind of homonym. They are words spelled the same but said differently, and they also have different meanings.

Heteronyms and Homophones

Another case of misidentification - homonyms and heteronyms. Homophones are words that sound exactly alike but have different spellings and different meanings like "too" and "two". In contrast, heteronyms are words that are spelled the same but have different pronunciations and different meanings.

More Than 20 Examples of Heteronyms with Sentences

Here is the list of heteronyms with explanation:

Absent

/ˈæbsənt/ – (adjective): not present in a place; missing. He was absent from school.
/æbˈsɛnt/ – (verb): this heteronyms meaning is to fail to be present; to stay away. Do not absent yourself from duty.

Abuse

/əˈbjuːs/ – (noun): the improper, wrong, or cruel treatment of a person or thing. He suffered verbal abuse.
/əˈbjuːz/ – (verb): to treat a person or animal with cruelty or violence regularly or repeatedly; to use something to bad effect or for a bad purpose. Don't abuse your power.

Alternate

/ˈɔːltərnət/ - (adjective): following each other in a regular pattern; every other. We need an alternate plan.
/ˈɔːltərneɪt/ - (verb): to happen or follow by turns repeatedly. They alternate between working and resting during the night shift

young man is holding his hand to his chin and has a thoughtful face, with a light bulb above it

Attribute

/ˈætrɪbjuːt/ – (noun): a quality or feature regarded as a characteristic or inherent part of someone or something. Patience is a valuable attribute.
/əˈtrɪbjuːt/ – (verb): to regard something as being caused by (someone or something). He attributes his success to hard work.

Axes

/ˈæksɪz/ – (plural of "axis"): an imaginary line about which a body rotates or around which a structure is symmetrically arranged. The Earth rotates on its axes.
/ˈæksɪz/ – (plural of "axe"): a tool typically used for chopping wood, with a heavy head and a sharpened edge mounted crosswise on a handle. The woodcutter had two axes. Check how many of these heteronyms examples with sentences you know.

Bow

/boʊ/ – (noun): a knot tied with two loops and two loose ends, used as a fastening or decoration. She tied a bow in her hair.
/baʊ/ – (noun/verb): an act of bending the head or upper part of the body as a sign of respect, greeting, or assent. He took a bow to show his respect

Close

/kloʊs/ – (adjective/adverb): a short distance away or apart in space or time; near. She lives very close to my neighborhood.
/kloʊz/ – (verb): to move something so that an opening or passage is obstructed or that access to it is prevented. Please close the door.

Conduct

/ˈkɒndʌkt/ – (noun): the manner in which a person behaves, especially on a particular occasion or in a particular context. Since childhood his conduct was exemplary.
/kənˈdʌkt/ – (verb): to organize and carry out; to transmit (a form of energy such as heat or electricity). The wires conduct electricity. Continue to read or heteronyms examples list to know more.

image of a little boy with glasses, wearing a shirt and tie, sitting with an even posture and reading a book

Console

/ˈkɒnsoʊl/ – (noun): a control panel for an electrical or electronic device; a cabinet for a television or stereo. He bought a new game console.
/kənˈsoʊl/ – (verb): to comfort (someone) at a time of grief or disappointment. She tried to console him at the funeral.

Content

/ˈkɒntɛnt/ – (noun): the subjects or topics covered in a book or document; what is contained. The book's content is interesting.
/kənˈtɛnt/ – (adjective): in a state of peaceful happiness. She felt content with her life.

Contract

/ˈkɒntrækt/ – (noun): a written or spoken agreement, especially one concerning employment, sales, or tenancy, that is intended to be enforceable by law. They signed a new contract.
/kənˈtrækt/ – (verb): to decrease in size, number, or range; to catch or develop (a disease or illness). Muscles contract. He contracted a cold.

Convert

/ˈkɒnvɜːrt/ (envelope) - (noun): a person who has converted to a different religion, political party, or ideology. A religious convert.
/kənˈvɜːrt/ (kanvert) - (verb): to change the form, character, or function of something. They converted the attic into a bedroom.

Desert

/ˈdɛzərt/ – (noun): a dry, desolate area of land. The Sahara Desert is vast.
/dɪˈzɜːrt/ – (verb): to abandon (a person, cause, or organization) in a way considered disloyal or treacherous. Soldiers must not desert their post. The desert heteronyms are one of the most difficult to remember.

Digest

/ˈdaɪdʒɛst/ – (noun): a compilation or summary of information, especially one that is brief but comprehensive. I read the news digest.
/daɪˈdʒɛst/ - (verb): to break down (food) in the alimentary canal into substances that can be absorbed and assimilated into the body. It's hard to digest this food.

Entrance

/ˈɛntrəns/ - (noun): a door or other opening by which you can enter a place. The entrance to the building.
/ɪnˈtræns/ – (verb): to fill (someone) with wonder and delight, holding their entire attention. The magician entranced the audience.

House

/haʊs/ – (noun): a building for human habitation, especially one that is lived in by a family or small group of people. I live in a house.
/haʊz/ – (verb): to provide shelter or lodging for. The shelter houses homeless people everyday in the winter.

Incline

/ˈɪnklaɪn/ - (noun): a slope or slant. A steep incline.
/ɪnˈklaɪn/ – (verb): to have a tendency or predisposition to do something; to lean or slant. I incline to agree with you.

Insert

/ˈɪnsɜːrt/ - (noun): a thing that is put or inserted into something else. The newspaper had a special insert.
/ɪnˈsɜːrt/ - (verb): to place, fit, or push (something) into something else. Please insert the coin.

Invalid

/ˈɪnvəlɪd/ - (noun/adjective): a person made weak or disabled by illness or injury. After that accident, he is an invalid.
/ɪnˈvælɪd/ – (adjective): not true because based on erroneous information or reasoning; not legally or officially acceptable. Your passport is invalid.

Lead

/liːd/ – (verb): to cause (a person or animal) to go with one by holding them by the hand, a halter, or a leash. He will lead the team.
/led/ – (noun): a heavy, soft, malleable, bluish-white metallic element, used in weights and as a covering for roofs. This pipe is made of lead. And here are 10 examples of heteronyms left.

Live

/lɪv/ – (verb): to reside; to remain alive. I live in London.
/laɪv/ – (adjective/adverb): (especially of a performance) broadcast, recorded, or seen while it is happening. The concert was broadcast live.

Minute

/ˈmɪnɪt/ – (noun): a unit of time equal to sixty seconds. Wait a minute.
/maɪˈnuːt/ - (adjective): extremely small. The scientist examined the minute details.

Object

/ˈɒbdʒɛkt/ - (noun): a material thing that can be seen and touched. There is a strange object in the sky.
/əbˈdʒɛkt/ – (verb): to express or feel disapproval of or opposition to something. I object to your proposal.

a crowd of people is looking at the sky on which UFO

Permit

/ˈpɜːrmɪt/ - (noun): an official document giving someone authorization to do something. Do you have a parking permit?
/pərˈmɪt/ – (verb): to allow (someone) to do something. The rules do not permit that. How to pronounce heteronyms depends on what meaning of the word you want to use.

Present

/ˈprɛzənt/ – (noun/adjective): a gift; existing or occurring now. She received a present.
/prɪˈzɛnt/ - (verb): to give something to someone, especially formally or ceremonially. He will present the award.

Read

/riːd/ – (verb, present tense, infinitive): to look at written or printed words and understand what they mean. I read books every day.
/rɛd/ – (verb, past tense, participle): the past tense and past participle of 'read'. I read that book last week. There are the last 5 examples of heteronyms.

Rebel

/ˈrɛbəl/ – (noun): a person who rises in opposition or armed resistance against an established government or ruler. He was a political rebel during the 90-s.
/rɪˈbɛl/ - (verb): to rise in opposition or armed resistance to an established government or ruler. They rebel against the government.

Refuse

/ˈrɛfjuːs/ – (noun): discarded matter; rubbish. Please put the refuse in the bin.
/rɪˈfjuːz/ - (verb): to state that one declines to do something. I refuse to go.

a young man is going to throw garbage into a dumpster on the street

Tear

/tɪər/ – (noun): a drop of clear salty liquid secreted from glands in a person's eye when they cry or when the eye is irritated. A tear rolled down her cheek when she saw that picture.
/teər/ – (verb): to pull or rip (something) apart or to pieces with force. Don't tear the paper.

Wind

/wɪnd/ – (noun): the perceptible natural movement of the air, especially in the form of a current of air blowing from a particular direction. The wind is blowing strongly.
/waɪnd/ – (verb): to move in or take a twisting or spiral course; to turn or cause something to turn. Wind the clock. The river winds through the valley

the student is sitting at the desk and writing down something into his notebook

In conclusion, knowing common heteronyms is very important for speaking English clearly. This is because their meaning changes when you say them differently, even though they are spelled the same. For those looking to study these words further, a comprehensive heteronyms list PDF can be an invaluable resource.

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