A heteronym (also known as a heterophone) is a word that is written identically but has a different pronunciation and meaning. In other words, they are homographs that are not homophones. Thus, row (propel with oars) and row (argument) are heteronyms, but mean (intend) and mean (average) are not (since they are pronounced the same). Heteronym pronunciation may vary in vowel realisation, in stress pattern (see alsoInitial-stress-derived noun), or in other ways:
- I seconded the motion that the official be seconded to another department.
- A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
- Do you know what a buck does to does?
- They were too close to the door to close it.
- Don't desert me here in the desert!
- When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
- The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
- How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
- He could lead if he would get the lead out.
- After a number of injections my jaw got number.
- I did not object to the object.
- We must polish the Polish furniture.
- He thought it was time to present the present.
- The farm was used to produce produce.
- The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
- There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
- A seamstress and a sewer fell down into the sewer.
- To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
- I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
- Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
- The weather was beginning to affect his affect.
- The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
- The bandage was wound around the wound.
- The garden was used to produce produce.
- The soldier decided to desert his post in the desert.
- Santa is ready to present the present.
- The buck does funny things when the does are present.
