heteronym
/ˈhɛtərəˌnɪm/
noun
- A word that is spelled the same as another word but has a different pronunciation and meaning.
- In English class, we learned that 'tear' is a heteronym: it can mean a drop from your eye or to rip something.
- When reading, you have to be careful with heteronyms like 'wind' — it can mean moving air or twisting something.
- The word 'lead' is a heteronym because it can mean a metal or to guide someone, and it is pronounced differently in each case.
Synonyms