# Heteronym (linguistics)

A heteronym (also known as a heterophone) is a word that has a different pronunciation and meaning from another word but the same spelling. These are homographs that are not homophones. Thus, lead (/ˈlɛd/ the metal) and lead (/ˈliːd/ a leash) are heteronyms, but mean (/ˈmin/ average) and mean (/ˈmin/ intend) are not, since they are pronounced the same. Heteronym pronunciation may vary in vowel realisation, in stress pattern, or in other ways.

## Description

A heteronym is a homograph that is not a homophone, a word that has a different pronunciation and meaning from another word with the same spelling. Heteronym pronunciation may vary in vowel realisation, in stress pattern, or in other ways.
"Heterophone" literally just means "different sound", and this term is sometimes applied to words that are just pronounced differently, irrespective of their spelling. Such a definition would include virtually every pair of words in the language, so "heterophone" in this sense is normally restricted to instances where there is some particular reason to highlight the different sound. For example, puns normally involve homophones, but in the case of heterophonic (or imperfect) puns, the two words sound different, and yet similar enough for one to suggest the other (for example, mouth and mouse).

## Types

Most heteronyms are doubles. Triple heteronyms are extremely rare in English; three examples, sin, mobile and does, are listed below.
Proper nouns can sometimes be heteronyms. For example, the final syllable in the US state of Oregon is pronounced /-ən/ (or /-ɪn/), while in the name of the village of Oregon in Wisconsin, the final syllable is pronounced /-ɒn/. Other examples include local pronunciations of Cairo, Georgia; Versailles, Kentucky; and Milan, Tennessee—compared to the more well-known Cairo, Versailles, and Milan—or the difference between the pronunciation of Louisville, Kentucky (/ˈluːəvəl/) and the town of Louisville, New York (/ˈluːɪsvɪl/).
There are also pairs which ignore case and include both initialisms and regular words, e.g., US and us.
Heteronyms also occur in non-alphabetic languages. For example, 20% of the 2400 most common Chinese characters have multiple readings; e.g., 行 can represent háng 'profession' or xíng 'OK'. In Arabic, vowels are normally not written, leading to ambiguous written words such as <كتب> /ktb/, which can be read /kataba/ 'he wrote', /kutubun/ 'books', or /kutiba/ 'it was written'; it is unclear whether these should be considered heteronyms, since they are unambiguous when fully vocalized.

## Examples
### Heteronyms with definitions
#### English

In some of these cases, American and British English pronunciations differ. One systematic case appears in the stress pattern of some deverbal nouns. Many of these words have the same origin, and similar meanings, and are essentially the same word. True heteronyms require the two words to be completely unrelated, which is a rare occurrence.
For a longer list, see wikt:Category:English heteronyms.
Examples of heteronyms in English :
| Spelling | Pronunciation | Part of speech | Meaning |
| abstract | /ˈæbstrækt/ | adjective | existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence |
| abstract | /æbˈstrækt/ | verb | consider (something) theoretically or separately from something else |
| abuse | /əˈbjuːs/ | noun | improper treatment |
| abuse | /əˈbjuːz/ | verb | to use improperly |
| address | AmE and BrE /əˈdrɛs/ | verb | to direct speech, a letter or a consignment (to) |
| address | AmE /ˈædrɛs/ BrE and AmE /əˈdrɛs/ | noun | a descriptor of location |
| advocate | /ˈædvəkeɪt/ | verb | to argue for someone else |
| advocate | /ˈædvəkɪt/ | noun | a person who speaks in support of something |
| affect | /əˈfɛkt/ | verb | to have an effect on |
| affect | /ˈæfɛkt/ | noun | mood, emotional state |
| affiliate | /əˈfɪliət/ | noun | a company, organization etc. that is connected with or controlled by a larger one |
| affiliate | /əˈfɪlieɪt/ | verb | if a group or organization affiliates to or with another larger one, it forms a close connection with it |
| agape | /əˈɡeɪp/ | adverb | open wide |
| agape | /ˈæɡəpiː/, /əˈɡɑːpeɪ/ | noun | altruistic, beneficial love |
| allied | /əˈlaɪd/ | verb | join for a common purpose (past tense) |
| allied | /ˈælaɪd/; /æˈlaɪd/ | adjective | joined for a common purpose, especially by treaty |
| alternate | /ˈɔːltərnət/ or /ɔːlˈtərnət/ | adjective | alternating, alternative |
| alternate | /ˈɔːltərneɪt/ | verb | to take turns |
| alum | /ˈæləm/ | noun (or verb) | a type of astringent salt (or to chemically impregnate with that salt) |
| alum | /əˈlʌm/ | noun | a past attendee or graduate (of either gender) of an educational institution |
| analyses | /əˈnælɪsiːz/ | noun | plural of analysis |
| analyses | /ˈænəlaɪzɪz/ | verb | third person singular present of analyse |
| appropriate | /əˈproʊpriət/ | adjective | suitable |
| appropriate | /əˈproʊprieɪt/ | verb | to set apart for |
| attribute | /ˈætrɪbjuːt/ | noun | a characteristic |
| attribute | /əˈtrɪbjuːt/ | verb | to associate ownership |
| articulate | /ɑːrˈtɪkjʊleɪt/ | verb | to speak clearly |
| articulate | /ɑːrˈtɪkjʊlɪt/ | adjective | well-spoken |
| august/August | /ɔːˈɡʌst, əˈ-/ | adjective | awe-inspiring, majestic, noble, venerable |
| august/August | /ˈɔː.ɡəst/ | noun | the eighth month of the Roman, Julian, and Gregorian calendars |
| axes | /ˈæksiːz/ | noun | pl. of axis |
| axes | /ˈæksɪz/ | noun | pl. of axe |
| bases | /ˈbeɪsɪz/ | noun | plural of base |
| bases | /ˈbeɪsiːz/ | noun | plural of basis |
| bass | /ˈbeɪs/ | noun | low in pitch |
| bass | /ˈbæs/ | noun | a fish |
| blessed | /ˈblɛsɪd/ | adjective | having divine aid |
| blessed | /ˈblɛst/ | verb | past tense of bless |
| bow | /ˈboʊ/ | noun | a stringed weapon, or the initiator of sound in some stringed musical instruments. |
| bow | /ˈboʊ/ | noun | an object that you clip or tie on to your hair to keep it from falling into your face |
| bow | /ˈbaʊ/ | verb | to bend in respect |
| bow | /ˈbaʊ/ | noun | the front of a boat or ship |
| buffet | /bəˈfeɪ/ or /ˈbʊfeɪ/ | noun | sideboard meal |
| buffet | /ˈbʌfɪt/ | verb | to strike |
| close | /ˈkloʊz/ | verb | to shut |
| close | /ˈkloʊs/ | adjective | nearby |
| combine | /ˈkɒmbaɪn/ | noun | A farm machine that harvests and threshes |
| combine | /kəmˈbaɪn/ | verb | To bring two or more things together, mix |
| compact | /kəmˈpækt/ | verb | to compress |
| compact | /ˈkɒmpækt/ | adjective | small |
| complex | /ˈkɒmplɛks/ | noun | A collection of buildings with a common purpose, such as a university or military base |
| complex | /kəmˈplɛks/, /ˈkɒmplɛks/ | adjective | Made up of multiple parts |
| compound | /ˈkɒmpaʊnd/ | noun | A substance having definite proportions of elements |
| compound | /kəmˈpaʊnd/ | verb | To make a situation worse |
| concert | /ˈkɒnsərt/ | noun | We saw the band in concert. |
| concert | /kənˈsɜːrt/ | verb | We had to concert all our energy to stay awake. |
| conduct | /ˈkɒndəkt/ | noun | action |
| conduct | /kənˈdʌkt/ | verb | to lead |
| coop | /ˈkuːp/ | noun | enclosure for chickens |
| coop | /ˈkoʊ.ɒp/ | noun | abbreviation of cooperative |
| coop | /kaʊp/ | noun | a cart with closed sides or ends, also spelled cowp. |
| confines | /ˈkɒnfaɪnz/ | noun pl. | Work within the confines of the contract. |
| confines | /kənˈfaɪnz/ | verb | But the contract confines my creativity! |
| conflict | /ˈkɒnflɪkt/ | noun | The mother said to her belligerent son, "Violence is no way to resolve conflict!" |
| conflict | /kənˈflɪkt/ | verb | The two news reports seem to conflict with each other. |
| console | /kənˈsoʊl/ | verb | provide comfort from grief |
| console | /ˈkɒnsoʊl/ | noun | control unit |
| content | /ˈkɒntɪnt/ | noun | information |
| content | /kənˈtɛnt/ | adjective, verb | satisfied, satisfy |
| contract | /ˈkɒntrækt/ | noun | The contract was supposed to expire seven years after it was signed. |
| contract | /kənˈtrækt/ | verb | Derek firmly stated that he would rather contract pneumonia and die than stand outside wearing that ridiculous pink and green poncho. |
| convict | /kənˈvɪkt/ | verb | to find guilty |
| convict | /ˈkɒnvɪkt/ | noun | one convicted |
| crooked | /ˈkrʊkt/ | verb | I crooked my arm to show the sleeve. |
| crooked | /ˈkrʊkɪd/ | adjective | Unfortunately, that just made the sleeve look crooked. |
| decrease | /dɪˈkriːs/ | verb | To lessen |
| decrease | /ˈdiːkriːs/ | noun | A diminution |
| defense | /dɪˈfɛns/ | noun | The attorney gave a strong defense. |
| defense | /ˈdiːfɛns/ | noun | The coach put out his best defense. (dialectal, used in sports contexts) |
| desert | /ˈdɛzərt/ | noun | an arid region |
| desert | /dɪˈzɜːrt/ | verb | to abandon |
| discard | /ˈdɪskɑːrd/ | noun | Toss it in the discard pile. |
| discard | /dɪsˈkɑːrd/ | verb | But I don't want to discard it! |
| do | /ˈduː/, /də/ | verb | What do you think you are doing? |
| do | /ˈdoʊ/ | noun | To warm-up, the singer sang the scale from do. |
| does | /ˈdoʊz/ | noun | pl. of doe |
| does | /ˈdʌz/ | verb | form of do |
| does | /ˈduːz/ | noun | one spelling of the plural of do as a noun - e.g. hair does |
| dogged | /ˈdɒɡd/ | verb | At night proctors patrolled the street and dogged your steps if you tried to go into any haunt where the presence of vice was suspected. (Samuel Butler, The Way of All Flesh) |
| dogged | /ˈdɒɡɪd/ | adjective | Still, the dogged obstinacy of his race held him to the pace he had set, and would hold him till he dropped in his tracks. (Jack London, The Son of the Wolf) |
| dove | /ˈdʌv/ | noun | a bird |
| dove | /ˈdoʊv/ | verb | Mainly American past tense of dive |
| ellipses | /ɪˈlɪpsɪz/ | noun | Plural of ellipse |
| ellipses | /ɪˈlɪpsiːz/ | noun | Plural of ellipsis |
| entrance | /ˈɛntrəns/ | noun | way in |
| entrance | /ɛnˈtrænsˌɪn-ˈˌ-trɑːns/ | verb | to delight |
| excuse | /ɪkˈskjuːs, ɛkˈ-/ | noun | explanation designed to avoid or alleviate guilt or negative judgment; a plea offered in extenuation of a fault |
| excuse | /ɪkˈskjuːz, ɛkˈ-/ | verb | to forgive; to pardon |
| exploit | /ˈɛksplɔɪt/ | noun | a heroic or extraordinary deed |
| exploit | /ɛksˈplɔɪt/ | verb | to make use of or take advantage of |
| house | /ˈhaʊs/ | noun | a residential building |
| house | /ˈhaʊz/ | verb | to place in residence |
| incense | /ˈɪnsɛns/ | noun | Dad, I bought this incense at the temple. |
| incense | /ɪnˈsɛns/ | verb | Big mistake. If you burn it here, you'll incense your mother. |
| increase | /ɪnˈkriːs/ | verb | To get greater |
| increase | /ˈɪnkriːs/ | noun | An augmentation |
| intimate | /ˈɪntɪmeɪt/ | verb | to suggest |
| intimate | /ˈɪntɪmət/ | adjective | very close |
| invalid | /ɪnˈvælɪd/ | adjective | incorrect |
| invalid | /ˈɪnvəlɪd/ | noun | a disabled person |
| laminate | /ˈlæmɪneɪt/ | verb | to assemble from thin sheets glued together |
| laminate | /ˈlæmɪnət/ | noun | material formed of thin sheets glued together |
| lead | /ˈliːd/ | verb | to guide |
| lead | /ˈlɛd/ | noun | a metal |
| learned | /ˈlɜːrnɪd/ | adjective | having much learning |
| learned | /ˈlɜːrnd/ | verb | past tense of learn |
| lima/Lima | /ˈlaɪmə/ | noun or attributive | A vegetable |
| lima/Lima | /ˈlaɪmə/ | proper noun | A city in Ohio, United States |
| lima/Lima | /ˈliːmə/ | proper noun | The capital city of Peru |
| live | /ˈlɪv/ | verb | to be alive |
| live | /ˈlaɪv/ | adjective | having life |
| merchandise | /ˈmɜːrtʃəndaɪs/ | noun | goods available for sale |
| merchandise | /ˈmɜːrtʃəndaɪz/ | verb | to make (something) available for sale |
| minute | /maɪˈnjuːt/ | adjective | small |
| minute | /ˈmɪnət/ | noun | unit of time |
| moped | /ˈmoʊpɛd/ | noun | a small motorcycle |
| moped | /ˈmoʊpt/ | verb | past tense of mope |
| mow | /ˈmaʊ/ | noun | a stack of hay, or the part of a barn where hay is stored |
| mow | /ˈmoʊ/ | verb | To cut something (especially grass or crops) down or knock down |
| multiply | /ˈmʌltɪplaɪ/ | verb | to increase |
| multiply | /ˈmʌltɪpli/ | adverb | in multiple ways |
| number | /ˈnʌmbər/ | noun | a numeral |
| number | /ˈnʌmər/ | adjective | more numb |
| object | /ˈɒbdʒɪkt/ | noun | a thing |
| object | /əbˈdʒɛkt/ | verb | to protest |
| overall | /oʊvərˈɔːl/ | adjective | Overall, we didn't do too badly. |
| overall | /ˈoʊvərɔːl/ | noun | I need new overalls. |
| periodic | /ˌpɪəriˈɒdɪk/ | adjective | Temperature shows periodic variation. |
| periodic | /pɜːrˈaɪɒdɪk/ | adjective | Periodic acid is an oxoacid of iodine. |
| present | /prɪˈzɛnt/ | verb | to reveal |
| present | /ˈprɛzənt/ | noun | a gift; the current moment |
| present | /ˈprɛzənt/ | adjective | existing in the immediate vicinity (e.g. Santa is present.) |
| primer | AmE /ˈprɪmər/, BrE /ˈpraɪmər/ | noun | book that covers the basic elements of a subject |
| primer | /ˈpraɪmər/ | noun | an undercoat of paint |
| proceeds | /ˈproʊsiːdz/ | noun | revenue |
| proceeds | /prəˈsiːdz/ | verb | Third person singular of the verb "proceed" |
| produce | /proʊˈdjuːs/ | verb | to make |
| produce | /ˈproʊdjuːs/ | noun | fruit and vegetables |
| progress | /prəˈɡrɛs/ | verb | I hope things will progress faster. |
| progress | AmE /ˈprɒɡrɛs/, BrE /ˈproʊɡrɛs/ | noun | I haven't made any progress. |
| project | /ˈprɒdʒɪkt/ | noun | an undertaking |
| project | /proʊˈdʒɛkt/ | verb | to cast an image |
| protest | /ˈproʊtɛst/ | noun | an organized event opposing something |
| protest | /proʊˈtɛst/ | verb | to vociferously object |
| putting | /ˈpʊtɪŋ/ | verb | pr. part. of to put |
| putting | /ˈpʌtɪŋ/ | verb | pr. part. of to putt |
| ragged | /ˈræɡd/ | verb | She ragged on me about my ragged jeans. |
| ragged | /ˈræɡɪd/ | adjective | But my ragged jeans are my trademark, I responded. |
| read | /ˈriːd/ | verb | present tense |
| read | /ˈrɛd/ | verb | past tense |
| rebel | /rɪˈbɛl/ | verb | to resist |
| rebel | /ˈrɛbəl/ | noun | one who rebels |
| record | AmE /ˈrɛkərd/, BrE /ˈrɛkɔːrd/ | noun | stored information |
| record | /rɪˈkɔːrd/ | verb | to make a record |
| recreate | /ˈrɛkrieɪt/ | verb | to relax by leisure activity |
| recreate | /ˌriːkriˈeɪt/ | verb | to give new life or create again (some style guides specify a hyphen for this sense, to increase clarity: re-create) |
| refund | /ˈriːfʌnd/ | noun | an amount of money that is given back to you if you are not satisfied with the goods or services that you have paid for |
| refund | /rɪˈfʌnd/ | verb | to give someone their money back |
| refuse | /ˈrɛfjuːs/ | noun | garbage |
| refuse | /rɪˈfjuːz/ | verb | to decline |
| reject | /ˈriːdʒɛkt/ | noun | a product that has been rejected because there is something wrong with it |
| reject | /rɪˈdʒɛkt/ | verb | to refuse to accept, believe in, or agree with something |
| resign | /rɪˈzaɪn/ | verb | 1. to quit 2. to accept that something undesirable cannot be avoided |
| resign | /riːˈsaɪn/ | verb | to sign again; re-sign |
| resume | /rɪˈzjuːm/ | verb | to start again |
| resume | /ˈrɛzjʊmeɪ/ | noun | curriculum vitae (sometimes distinguished with acute accents; résumé) |
| retreat | /rɪˈtriːt/ | verb | to fall back from a battle front |
| retreat | /riːˈtriːt/ | verb | to treat again (some style guides specify a hyphen for this sense, to increase clarity: re-treat) |
| root | /ˈruːt/ or /ˈrʊt/) | noun | The tree's root was rotted. |
| root | /ˈruːt/ | verb | A pig can be trained to root for mushrooms. |
| row | /ˈroʊ/ | noun, verb | a line; to paddle a boat |
| row | /ˈraʊ/ | noun | an argument |
| sake | /ˈseɪk/ | noun | benefit |
| sake | /ˈsɑːki/ | noun | rice wine |
| second | /ˈsɛkənd/ | adjective, noun, verb | ordinal of "two", 1/60 of a minute, to endorse a motion |
| second | /səˈkɒnd/ | verb | to transfer temporarily to an alternative employment |
| separate | /ˈsɛpərət/ | adjective | This should be divided into packets of ten cartridges each, which should be rolled up in flannel and hermetically sealed in separate tin canisters. (Samuel W. Baker, The Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia) |
| separate | /ˈsɛpəreɪt/ | verb | To stalk these wary antelopes I was obliged to separate from my party, who continued on their direct route. (Samuel W. Baker, The Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia) |
| sewer | /ˈsjuːər/ | noun | drainage pipes |
| sewer | /ˈsoʊ.ər/ | noun | one who sews |
| shower | /ˈʃaʊ.ər/ | noun | precipitation |
| shower | /ˈʃoʊ.ər/ | noun | one who shows |
| sin/Sin | /ˈsɪn/ | noun | a moral error |
| sin/Sin | /ˈsaɪn/ | noun | abbrev. for sine |
| sin/Sin | /ˈsiːn/ | noun | Sumerian god of the moon; Arabic letter |
| slough | /ˈslʌf/ | verb | to shed |
| slough | /ˈsluː/ | noun | a small waterway |
| slough | /ˈslaʊ/ | proper noun | a town in Berkshire |
| sow | /ˈsoʊ/ | verb | to plant seeds |
| sow | /ˈsaʊ/ | noun | a mature female in the swine species |
| subject | /ˈsʌbdʒɪkt/ | noun | a topic |
| subject | /səbˈdʒɛkt/ | verb | to cause to undergo |
| supposed | /səˈpoʊz(ɪ)d/ | adjective | being assumed to be |
| supposed | /səˈpoʊst/ | verb | obliged to do |
| supposed | /səˈpoʊzd/ | verb | past sense of suppose |
| tarry | /ˈtæri/ | verb | to linger |
| tarry | /ˈtɑːri/ | adjective | similar to tar |
| tear | /ˈtɪər/ | noun | liquid produced by crying |
| tear | /ˈtɛər/ | verb, noun | to separate |
| tier | /ˈtɪər/ | noun | level or rank |
| tier | /ˈtaɪ.ər/ | noun | one who ties |
| transfer | /ˈtrænsfər/ | noun | a movement of something from one place to another |
| transfer | /trænsˈfɜːr/ | verb | to move something from one place to another (the verb can be accented on either syllable) |
| use | /ˈjuːs/ | noun | function, benefit |
| use | /ˈjuːz/ | verb | employ, utilize |
| unionized | /ˈjuːniənaɪzd/ | adjective | formed into a union |
| unionized | /ʌnˈaɪənaɪzd/ | adjective | not ionized (some style guides specify a hyphen for this sense, to increase clarity: un-ionized) |
| whoop | /ˈhwʊp/ | verb | Pa says he's gonna whoop you good if you don't learn some manners! |
| whoop | /ˈhwuːp/ | verb | When they scored a goal, he began to whoop and holler. |
| wicked | /ˈwɪkɪd/ | adjective | bad, evil |
| wicked | /ˈwɪkt/ | verb | past tense of wick (e.g. to wick away some liquid) |
| wind | /ˈwɪnd/ | noun | air movement |
| wind | /ˈwaɪnd/ | verb | to tighten a mechanical spring |
| wound | /ˈwaʊnd/ | verb | past tense of wind (e.g. tightened a mechanical spring) |
| wound | /ˈwuːnd/ | noun, verb | an injury |

#### French

In French, most heteronyms result from certain endings being pronounced differently in verbs and nouns. In particular, -ent as a third person plural verb ending is silent while as an adjective ending, it is pronounced IPA:.
Examples of heteronyms in French :
| Spelling | Part of speech | Meaning |
| affluent | verb | they pour in |
| affluent | noun | a tributary of a river |
| as | verb | you have |
| as | noun | an ace |
| bout | noun | length |
| bout | noun | rope (in nautical usage) |
| content | verb | they recount |
| content | adjective | happy |
| convient | verb | they invite |
| convient | verb | it is suitable |
| couvent | verb | they brood (eggs) |
| couvent | noun | a convent |
| éditions | verb | we edited |
| éditions | noun | publications |
| est | verb | he/she is |
| est | noun | the East |
| excellent | verb | they excel |
| excellent | adjective | excellent |
| expédient | verb | they send |
| expédient | noun | an expedient |
| fier | verb | to trust |
| fier | adjective | proud |
| fils | noun | son, sons |
| fils | noun | wires |
| négligent | verb | they neglect |
| négligent | adjective | negligent |
| objections | verb | we objected |
| objections | noun | objections |
| oignons | verb | we anoint |
| oignons | noun | onions |
| parent | verb | they adorn |
| parent | noun | parent |
| plus | adverb | more |
| plus | adverb | no more |
| portions | verb | we carried |
| portions | noun | portions |
| relations | verb | we recounted |
| relations | noun | relations |
| résident | verb | they reside |
| résident | noun | resident |
| violent | verb | they violate |
| violent | adjective | violent |
| vis | verb | I live, I saw (present) |
| vis | noun | screw, screws |
* ↑ The official spelling since 1990 is ognon, but oignon is still more widely-used.

#### Modern Greek

Modern Greek spelling is largely unambiguous, but there are a few cases where a word has distinct learned and vernacular meaning and pronunciation, despite having the same root, and where <ia> is pronounced /ja/ vs. /i.a/; Some of these distinctions are being neutralized in modern speech.
Examples of heteronyms in Greek :
| Spelling | Part of speech | Meaning |
| άδεια | adjective | empty |
| άδεια | noun | leave, day off |
| βεντέτα | noun | vendetta |
| βεντέτα | noun | star (artist) |
| βιάζω | verb | I hasten |
| βιάζω | verb | I rape |
| καμπάνα | noun | bell |
| καμπάνα | noun | cabana |
| λόγια | noun | words |
| λόγια | adjective | learnèd |

#### Italian

Italian spelling is largely unambiguous, althouɡh there are some exceptions:
* open and closed ⟨e⟩ and ⟨o⟩ (/ɛ, e/ and /ɔ, o/) are not distinguished;
* the voiced and unvoiced pronunciations of ⟨s⟩ and ⟨z⟩ (/s, z/ and /ts, dz/) are not distinguished;
* stress, which is usually but not always on the penult, is not marked except when it is on the final syllable;
* in some cases, digraphs and trigraphs like ⟨sci⟩ (/ʃ(i)/), ⟨ci⟩ (/tʃ(i)/), ⟨gi⟩ (/dʒ(i)/), ⟨gli⟩ (/ʎ(i)/) are pronounced using the values of their component letters;
* ⟨i⟩ and ⟨u⟩ may have a vocalic (/i, u/) or a consonantal (/j, w/) value.
When stress is on the final, the vowel is written with an accent: mori 'mulberries' and morì 'he/she died'. Some monosyllabic words are also differentiated with an accent: e /e/ 'and' and è /ɛ/ 'he/she is'. These cases are not heteronyms.
Some common cases:
Vowel quality difference :
| Spelling | Pronunciation | Part of speech | Meaning |
| affetto | affètto | noun | affection |
| affetto | affétto | verb | I slice |
| arena | arèna | noun | arena |
| arena | aréna | noun | sand |
| botte | bòtte | noun | blows, pounding |
| botte | bótte | noun | barrel |
| collega | collèga | noun | colleague |
| collega | colléga | verb | he/she connects |
| colto | còlto | ppl. | gathered |
| colto | cólto | adjective | cultivated |
| corresse | corrèsse | verb | he/she corrected (correggere) |
| corresse | corrésse | verb | he/she ran (subj.) (correre) |
| corso | còrso | noun | a Corsican |
| corso | córso | noun | a course |
| corso | córso | ppl. | run |
| credo | crèdo | noun | creed |
| credo | crédo | verb | I believe |
| esca | èsca | verb | he/she exits |
| esca | ésca | noun | bait |
| esse | èsse | noun | the letter S |
| esse | ésse | pron. | they (f.) |
| foro | fòro | noun | forum, court |
| foro | fóro | noun | a hole |
| fosse | fòsse | noun | pits |
| fosse | fósse | verb | were (imperfect subj.) |
| indotto | indòtto | adjective | ignorant |
| indotto | indótto | ppl. | induced |
| legge | lègge | verb | he/she reads |
| legge | légge | noun | law |
| mento | mènto | verb | I lie |
| mento | ménto | noun | chin |
| meta | mèta | noun | destination, aim, score |
| meta | méta | noun | haystack, dung |
| messe | mèsse | noun | harvest |
| messe | mésse | noun | religious mass |
| pesca | pèsca | noun | peach |
| pesca | pésca | noun | fishing |
| pesca | pésca | verb | he/she fishes |
| peste | pèste | noun | plague |
| peste | péste | adjective | crushed (f.pl.) |
| peste | péste | noun | footprints |
| re | rè | noun | re (music) |
| re | ré | noun | king |
| scopo | scòpo | noun | goal |
| scopo | scópo | verb | I sweep |
| sorta | sòrta | noun | kind |
| sorta | sórta | verb | I rose |
| tema | tèma | noun | theme, subject |
| tema | téma | noun | fear |
| torta | tòrta | adjective, ppl. | twisted (f. sing.) |
| torta | tórta | noun | a torte |
| venti | vènti | noun | winds |
| venti | vénti | noun | twenty |
| volgo | vòlgo | verb | I turn |
| volgo | vólgo | noun | the people |
| volto | vòlto | ppl. | turned |
| volto | vólto | noun | face |
Stress difference :
| Spelling | Pronunciation | Part of speech | Meaning |
| ancora | àncora | noun | anchor |
| ancora | ancòra | adverb | again |
| ambito | àmbito | noun | ambit, scope |
| ambito | ambìto | ppl. | longed-for |
| compito | cómpito | noun | task |
| compito | compìto | ppl. | polite, completed |
| cupido | cùpido | adjective | covetous |
| cupido | cupìdo | noun | Cupid |
| nocciolo | nòcciolo | noun | kernel |
| nocciolo | nocciòlo | noun | hazelnut tree |
| principi | prìncipi | noun | princes |
| principi | princìpi | noun | principles |
| retina | rètina | noun | retina |
| retina | retìna | noun | small net |
| seguito | sèguito | noun | sequel |
| seguito | seguìto | ppl. | followed |
| Sofia | Sòfia | noun | Sofia (Bulgaria) |
| Sofia | Sofìa | noun | Sofia (name) |
| subito | sùbito | adverb | immediately |
| subito | subìto | ppl. | undergone |
Voicing difference :
| Spelling | Pronunciation | Part of speech | Meaning |
| razza | | noun | race, breed |
| razza | | noun | ray, skate (fish) |

#### Dutch

Dutch has heteronyms which vary in stress position, known as klemtoonhomogramen 'stress homograms', such as appel: 'apple' vs. 'appeal' (formerly written appèl). Other examples include beamen, bedelen, hockeyster, kantelen, misdadiger, overweg, verspringen, verwerpen.
The word plant is generally pronounced, but may be pronounced in the sense 'he/she plans'.

#### German

German has few heteronyms, for example:
* Some vary in stress position: umfahren 'to knock down' vs. umfahren 'to bypass'; übersetzen 'to translate' vs. übersetzen 'to traverse'; Spiegelei 'fried egg' vs. Spiegelei 'mirroring'.
* Some are compounded differently: Staubecken as Stau-becken vs. Staub-Ecken or Wachstube as 'Wach-stube' vs. 'Wachs-tube'; etc.
* Several are borrowings: modern 'to molder' (derived from Moder) vs. modern 'modern' (borrowed from French) or Montage 'Mondays' vs. Montaĝe 'mounting, installing, assembling' (the latter borrowed from French).