Definition of HETERONYM

heteronym

Meanings

Plural: heteronyms

Noun

  • two words are heteronyms if they are spelled the same way but differ in pronunciation
    • "the word `bow' is an example of a heteronym"
  • A word having the same spelling as another but a different meaning, and, often, a different pronunciation.
  • A fictitious character created by an author for the purpose of writing in a different style.

Origin / Etymology

Coined around 1900, either from hetero- (“different”) + -onym (“name”) or from Ancient Greek ἑτερώνυμος (heterṓnumos), or perhaps both.

Scrabble Score: 17

heteronym is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
heteronym is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
heteronym is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

heteronym is a valid Words With Friends word