Which term describes words that are written the same but pronounced differently and have different meanings?

Which term describes words that are written the same but pronounced differently and have different meanings?

• A. Homonym
• B. Homophone
• C. Homograph
• D. Hyponym

Answer: (C)

Words that are written the same but pronounced differently and have different meanings are called homographs. The key idea is the same spelling despite different pronunciations and senses. For example, lead can be pronounced to rhyme with “reed” when meaning the metal, or with “leed” when meaning to guide; read can be pronounced “reed” in the present tense and “red” in the past tense, with different meanings. Homophones are words that sound the same but aren’t necessarily spelled the same, so they don’t fit this criterion. Hyponym is about a semantic relationship (a more specific term within a broader category) and isn’t about spelling or pronunciation. Some use homonym more broadly, but the precise label for this scenario is homograph.

Words that are written the same but pronounced differently and have different meanings are called homographs. The key idea is the same spelling despite different pronunciations and senses. For example, lead can be pronounced to rhyme with “reed” when meaning the metal, or with “leed” when meaning to guide; read can be pronounced “reed” in the present tense and “red” in the past tense, with different meanings. Homophones are words that sound the same but aren’t necessarily spelled the same, so they don’t fit this criterion. Hyponym is about a semantic relationship (a more specific term within a broader category) and isn’t about spelling or pronunciation. Some use homonym more broadly, but the precise label for this scenario is homograph.