Here are some examples of heteronyms, with its definition.
HETERONYMS EXAMPLES – This is one of the English language’s fascinating quirks, and here are some of its examples.
What are heteronyms? They are the words that are spelled the same but have different pronunciations and meanings. In grammar, this is defined as two or more words with the same spelling but different pronunciations and meanings. If it is to function as an adjective, it will be called heteronymous.
In literature, this refers to a writer’s creative alter ego or persona, which Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa introduced.
Heteronyms are both tricky and fun. It requires careful attention to sentence structure and, in reading with these words, readers must rely on context clues to understand the intended meaning. Stress placement is also significant, which makes this topic best learned through reading aloud, listening to fluent speakers, and paying close attention to stress and context.
Here are some example words with definitions and sample sentences.
| Words | Meaning #1 | Meaning #2 |
| Bass | stringed instrument The fisherman proudly held up the large bass he caught at the lake. | type of fish The choir needed a strong bass to balance the harmony. |
| Bow | an instrument used to shoot an arrow The archer drew his bow and aimed at the target. | bend the upper part of the body as a greeting or sign of respect He greeted the elder with a polite bow. |
| Close | to move to cover an opening She closed the lid to cover the opening of the jar. | something nearby My house is close to his house. |
| Conduct | to lead or guide scientist will conduct an experiment to test the theory. | how a person behaves Misbehavior and poor conduct can lead to suspension from school. |
| Desert | to leave or abandon She felt her courage desert her just before the speech. | a dry, barren area of land The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world. |
| Lead | to show someone the way She volunteered to lead the group on the hiking trail. | a type of metal Old paints often contained lead, posing health risks. |
| Object | to say or do something to express disagreement or disapproval Many citizens object to the proposed new law. | a material thing He picked up a sharp object from the ground. |
| Perfect | to make something without flaw or defect The chef tried to perfect his recipe over the years. | without flaw or defect She found the perfect dress for the wedding. |
| Record | to set down in writing or another permanent form for later reference Journalists often record interviews for accuracy. | something kept in writing or other form for permanent keeping The hospital keeps a record of every patient’s treatment. |
| Row | a line of things Houses were built in a neat row along the street. | a fight or dispute They got into a row about money. |
| Tear | a drop of liquid from the eye He wiped away his tears after hearing the heartbreaking news. | a drop of liquid from the eye He wiped away his tears after hearing the heartbreaking news. |
| Contest | a competition She joined a singing contest at school. | to dispute The candidate decided to contest the election results. |
| Associate | a partner or colleague The lawyer and her associate prepared the case together. | to connect in the mind I always associate that song with happy memories. |