heteronym

 
Pronunciation: /ˈhɛtərə(ʊ)nɪm/

noun

Linguistics
  • 1each of two or more words which are spelled identically but have different sounds and meanings, such as tear meaning ‘rip’ and tear meaning ‘liquid from the eye’.
  • 2each of two or more words which are used to refer to the identical thing in different geographical areas of a speech community, such as nappy and diaper.
  • 3each of two words having the same meaning but derived from unrelated sources, for example preface and foreword. Contrasted with paronym.

Derivatives

heteronymic

Pronunciation: /-ˈnɪmɪk/
adjective

heteronymous

Pronunciation: /-ˈɒnɪməs/
adjective