English Learner's Guide to Heteronyms

English Learner’s Guide to

HETERONYMS

(HOMOGRAPHS)

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heteronym  /’hɛtəɹoʊnɪm/

n : Words are heteronyms if they are spelled the same but differ in pronunciation; e.g., bow.

Pronunciation Symbols

Each heteronym (homograph) is bold followed by its /’pɹoʊnʌnsiɛɪʃən/.

-A-

abstract

/’æbstɹækt/

adj 1: existing only in the mind; separated from embodiment; abstract words like `truth’ and `justice’ [ant: concrete]  2: not representing or imitating external reality or the objects of nature; a large abstract painting [syn: abstractionist, nonfigurative, nonobjective]  3: based on specialized theory;  a theoretical analysis [syn: theoretical]  4: dealing with a subject in the abstract without practical purpose or intention; abstract reasoning; abstract science

n 1: a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance; he loved her only in the abstract--not in person [syn: abstraction]  2: a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory [syn: outline, synopsis, adumbration]

/əb’stɹækt/

v 1: consider a concept without thinking of a specific example; consider abstractly or theoretically  2: make off with belongings of others [syn: pilfer, cabbage, purloin, pinch, snarf, swipe, hook, sneak, filch, nobble, lift]  3: consider apart from a particular case or instance; Let’s abstract away from this particular example  4: give an abstract (of)

abuse

/ə’bʊəs/

n 1: cruel or inhumane treatment [syn: maltreatment, ill-treatment, ill-usage]  2: a rude expression intended to offend or hurt; when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse; they yelled insults at the visiting team [syn: insult, revilement, contumely]  3: improper or excessive use [syn: misuse]

/ə’bʊəz/

v 1: treat badly; This boss abuses his workers [syn: mistreat, maltreat, ill-use, ill-treat]  2: change the inherent purpose or function of something; Don’t abuse the system; The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers [syn: pervert, misuse]  3: use foul or abusive language towards; The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket; The angry mother shouted at the teacher [syn: clapperclaw, blackguard, shout]

addict

/’ædɪkt/

n 1: someone who is so ardently devoted to something that it resembles an addiction; a golf addict; a car nut; a control freak [syn: nut, freak]  2: someone who is physiologically dependent on a substance; abrupt deprivation of the substance produces withdrawal symptoms

/ə’dɪkt/

v : to cause (someone or oneself) to become dependent (on something, esp. a narcotic drug) [syn: hook]

address

/’ædɹɛs/

n 1: (computer science) the code that identifies where a piece of information is stored [syn: computer address]  2: the place where a person or organization can be found or communicated with  3: a formal spoken communication delivered to an audience; he listened to an address on minor Roman poets [syn: speech]  4: the manner of speaking to another individual; he failed in his manner of address to the captain  5: a sign in front of a house or business carrying the conventional form by which its location is described  6: written directions for finding some location; written on letters or packages that are to be delivered to that location [syn: destination, name and address]  7: social skill [syn: savoir-faire]

/ə’dɹɛs/

v 1: speak to; He addressed the crowd outside the window [syn: turn to]  2: give a speech to; The chairman addressed the board of trustees [syn: speak]  3: put an address on (an envelope, for example) [syn: direct]  4: direct a question at someone  5: address or apply oneself to something, direct one’s efforts towards something, such as a question  6: greet, as with a prescribed form, title, or name; He always addresses me with `Sir’; Call me Mister; She calls him by first name [syn: call]  7: deal with verbally or in some form of artistic expression; This book deals with incest; The course covered all of Western Civilization; The new book treats the history of China [syn: cover, treat, handle, plow, deal]  8: speak to someone [syn: accost, come up to]

advocate

/’ædvəkɪt/

n 1: a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea [syn: advocator, proponent, exponent]  2: a lawyer who pleads cases in court [syn: counsel, counselor, counselor-at-law, pleader]

/’ædvəkɛɪt/

v 1: push for something; The travel agent recommended strongly that we not travel on Thanksgiving Day [syn: recommend, urge]  2: speak, plead, or argue in favour of; The doctor advocated a smoking ban in the entire house [syn: preach]

affect

/’əfɛkt/

v 1: have an effect upon; Will the new rules affect me? [syn: impact, bear upon, bear on, touch on, touch]  2: act physically on; have an effect upon  3: connect closely and often incriminatingly; This new ruling affects your business [syn: involve, regard]  4: make believe; He feigned that he was ill; He shammed a headache [syn: feign, sham, pretend, dissemble]  5: have an emotional or cognitive impact upon; This child impressed me as unusually mature; This behavior struck me as odd [syn: impress, move, strike]

/ə’fɛkt/

n : the conscious subjective aspect of feeling or emotion

aged

/ɛɪʤd/

adj 1: advanced in years; (`aged’ is pronounced as two syllables); aged members of the society; elderly residents could remember the construction of the first skyscraper; senior citizen [syn: elderly, older, senior]  2: at an advanced stage of erosion (pronounced as one syllable); aged rocks

3: having attained a specific age; (`aged’ is pronounced as one syllable); aged ten; ten years of age of age]  4: of wines, fruit, cheeses; having reached a desired or final condition; (`aged’ pronounced as one syllable); mature well-aged cheeses [syn: ripened]  5: (used of tobacco) aging as a preservative process (`aged’ is pronounced as one syllable) [syn: cured]

v : (past of age) 1: became old  2: manifested traits associated with old age  3: developed a certain quality of ripeness; became mature; e.g., wine and cheese

/ɛɪ’ʤɪd/

n : people who are old; special arrangements were available for the aged [ant: young]

aggregate

/’ægɹəgɪt/

adj 1: gathered or tending to gather into a mass or whole; the aggregate amount of indebtedness [syn: aggregative, mass]  2: (botany) formed of separate units in a cluster; raspberries are aggregate fruits

n 1: a sum total of many heterogenous things taken together [syn: congeries, conglomeration]  2: the whole amount [syn: sum, total, totality]  3: mineral materials, such as sand or stone, used in making concrete

/’ægɹəgɛɪt/

v 1: amount in the aggregate to  2: gather in a mass, sum, or whole [syn: combine]

alternate

/’ɔltəɹnɪt/

n : someone who takes the place of another person [syn: surrogate, replacement]

/’ɔltəɹnɛɪt/

v 1: go back and forth; swing back and forth between two states or conditions [syn: jump]  2: exchange people temporarily to fulfill certain jobs and functions  3: be an understudy or alternate for a role [syn: understudy]  4: reverse, as of direction or attitude