What do you call a word that has different meanings but is spelled the same way?

Answer:

Heteronym


A heteronym is a word that is spelled and sounds the same but has different meanings. An example of this is the word 'lick'. You can lick an ice cream cone (eating using only your tongue) or lick someone in a fight (defeat the person physically).
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Homonym


A heteronym is a subset of the homonyms. Homonyms sound the same, and they can be, but are not necessarily spelled in the same way. An example of homonyms are the words 'bear' and 'bare'. Bear (the animal) and bare (lacking decoration or to undress) sound the same, are spelled differently, and have different meanings.
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'Lick' is an example of both a heteronym and a homonym, whereas 'bear' and 'bare' are homonyms only .
First answer by ID1467625256. Last edit by Konacq. Contributor trust: 235 [recommend contributor recommended]. Question popularity: 30 [recommend question].