Is there a name for words with different meanings but same spelling: read read, lead lead, name more examples?

Homographs





A homograph is one of a group of words that share the same spelling but have different meanings (which is what you asked). When spoken, the meanings are sometimes, but not necessarily, distinguished by different pronunciations. A homograph can be either a homonym (same pronunciation but different meaning) or a heteronym (different meanings and pronunciations). The examples you listed are heteronyms.





There are lots of them, although they may vary depending on your dialect. Where I live, "permit" the noun and "permit" the verb both have the second syllable stressed!





Examples:


resume


buffet


address (noun and verb)


record





Here's a list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Eng...

Is there a name for words with different meanings but same spelling: read read, lead lead, name more examples?
Homonyms





In linguistics, a homonym is one of a group of words that share the same pronunciation but have different meanings, and are usually spelled differently. Some sources only require that homonyms share the same spelling or pronunciation (in addition to having different meanings), but these are the definitions most other sources give for homographs and homophones respectively. The state of being a homonym is called homonymy. Examples of homonyms are stalk (which can mean either part of a plant or to follow someone around), bear (animal) and bear (carry), left (opposite of right) and left (past tense of leave). Some sources also consider the following trio of words to be homonyms, but others designate them as "only" homophones: to, too and two (actually, to, to, too, too and two, being "for the purpose of" as in "to make it easier", the opposite of "from", also, excessively, and "2", respectively). Some sources state that homonym meanings must be unrelated in origin (rather than just different). Thus right (correct) and right (opposed to left) would be polysemous (see below) and not be homonyms.









Reply:If you're talking;





'I read the book yesterday'





'Today I will read the book'





They have the same meanings, the only difference is that there is a change in tense - i.e. Present/Future and past.





Regarding the lead and lead example - I think they're called Heteronyms.





Another good one is minute (size) and minute (time)








Oops no, I'm confused - they have differnt pronounciations!
Reply:They are called 'heteronyms.'





The one that comes to mind immediately is:


wind - wind (wind / wynd)