heteronym UK /ˈhɛt.əɹ.ə(ʊ).nɪm/US /ˈhɛt.ə.ɹoʊ.nɪm/ noun3 •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.The word agape, "astonished" or "wide open," is a heteronym of agape, "Christian love." •A fictitious character created by an author for the purpose of writing in a different style.Heteronyms are the distinct poetic personae that Pessoa adopted during the writing of his poems, and who were presented as their true authors. — 2021 •(old-fashioned) Calque. formsheteronyms