How to pronounce heteronym
Say it like HET-uh-roh-nim. Heteronym has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce heteronym. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HET
- uh
- roh
- nim
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Heteronym pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- nimKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of heteronym
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: HET-uh-roh-nim.
What does heteronym mean?
- Calque.
- A word having the same spelling as another, but with a different meaning and (often) pronunciation.“The word lead (/ˈlɛd/), for the metal, and lead (/ˈliːd/), for a leash, are heteronyms.”
- A fictitious character created by an author for the purpose of writing in a different style.
Where does heteronym come from?
By surface analysis, hetero (“different”) + -onym (“name”).
Questions about saying heteronym
How do you pronounce heteronym?
Say HET-uh-roh-nim. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɛtəroʊnɪm/. In British English it is /ˈhɛtərəʊnɪm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in heteronym?
Heteronym has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HET). Broken into parts: HET · uh · roh · nim.
Is heteronym pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈhɛtərəʊnɪm/ (HET-uh-roh-nim).