heteronym
noun /ˈhetərənɪm/
/ˈhetərənɪm/
(linguistics)- one of two or more words that have the same spelling but different meanings and pronunciation, for example ‘tear’ meaning ‘rip’ and ‘tear’ meaning ‘liquid from the eye’
- one of two or more words that refer to the same thing, for example ‘lift’ and ‘elevator’
Word Originlate 19th cent.: from hetero- + -onym.