Heteronyms are words that are spelled the same but have different pronunciations and
meanings.
Some identically spelled words can be either verbs or nouns, depending on how they’re
pronounced. For example, “reCORD” (accented on the second syllable) is a verb, while
“RECord” (accented on the first) is a noun.
Similarly, “conFLICT” (accented on the second syllable) is a verb, while “CONflict”
(accented on the first) is a noun. Some other words that follow this pattern include
“permit,” “extract,” “addict,” “combat,” “compound,” “conduct,” “incense,” “insult,”
“present,” “produce,” and “subject.”
Heteronyms
Alternate ALternit- the next choice; ALternate- switch back and forth
Attribute ahTRIByoot- to consider resulting from; AHtribyoot- a characteristic of
someone (12)
August AUgust- month [capitalized]; auGUST- important, eminent
Bass BASE- a string instrument; Bass (rhymes with mass)- a fish
Bow BAU- to lower one's head or the front of a ship; BOH- used to shoot arrows
Bowed BAU-d- to bend over; BOH-d- bent
Buffet BUFFet- to pound or bump; buFAY- place where you serve yourself
Close CLOZE- to shut; CLOS- near
Conduct KONduckt- behavior; kunDUCKT- to lead (see this heteronym below)
Conflict konFLIKT- to act against; KAHNflict- a fight or disagreement
Console KAHNsole- an upright case; kunSOLE- to comfort
Content KAHNtent- meaning; kunTENT- satisfied
Contest kunTEST- to argue; KAHNtest- a match of skill
Contract CONtract- an agreement; conTRACT- to shrink or to agree on a project
Convert conVERT- to change one's belief; CONvert- one whose belief was changed
Converse KAHNvers- the opposite; kunVERS- to talk
Convict kunVIKT- to find guilty; KAHNvikt- a prisoner
Heteronyms- From English-for-students.com 1
Crooked KROOKt- having bent your neck; KROOK-ed- having a curve; not ethical
Deliberate diLIBerit- carefully considered; diLIBerate- to think over, consider
Digest DYEjest- collection of published material; dieJEST- absorb nutrients
Do DOO- to accomplish; DOE- a musical note
Does DUZ- performs; DOZE- more than one female deer
Dove DUV- a bird; DOEV- jumped off
Drawer DROR- the compartment you pull out from the dresser; DRAWer- one who
draws
Excuse Eks KUSE- to let someone off; EksCOOS- a reason or explanation
House HAUS- a building that serves as living quarters; HOWZ- to provide with living
quarters
Intern INtern- a physician in training; inTERN- confine to prescribed area
Invalid inVALLid- not valid; INvallid- an ill person
Lead LEED- to guide; LED- a metallic element
Minute MINNit- 60 seconds; myNOOT- tiny
Moderate MODerit- keeping within reason; moderATE- to preside over
Object obJEKT- to complain; OBjekt- a thing
Primer PRIHMer- an elementary book; PRYmer- the preparatory coat of paint
Produce PROdoos- vegetables; proDOOS- bring forth
Project proJEKT- to show a movie; PRAHjekt- a task
Rebel REBBell- a person who does things his own way; a resister; reBELL- to resist
Record RECKord- a list; reKORD- to write down
Recreation rek-ree-Ashun- pastime; REEcreeAshun- remake (also, recreate)
Refuse reFUSE- to deny; REFFyoos- garbage
Relay REElay- a race by teams; rehLAY- to pass along, such as information Rerun
reRUN- to race again or to repeat a show on television; RErun- a repeated TV show
Heteronyms- From English-for-students.com 2
Resign reZYN- to quit; reSYN- to sign again (e.g., a contract) [usu. hyphenated as re-
sign]
Resume reeZOOM- to restart; REHZamay- a document of experience
Row ROH- a line of items or people; ROUW- a fight
Secrete seeKREET- to discharge; SEEkret- not known to others
Separate SEPerate- to divide into groups; SEPret- not joined together
Sewer SOwer- one who sews; SOOwer- place for human waste
Sow SOUW- a female pig; SO- to plant seed
Subject SUBjekt- the theme or topic; subJEKT- to force upon someone
Tear TARE- to rip; TEER- fluid in eye
Wind WINd- the blowing air ; WHINEd- to coil up
Wound WOOND- to injure; WOWND- coiled up
Heteronyms- From English-for-students.com 3
