The Isonym List
An isonym is the opposite of a homonym: a word that is spelled the same but pronounced differently. My friend and collaborator PatGently describes them as heterophonic homographs. This list was compiled with submissions by LaughingMan@lambdaMOO, PatGently@lambdaMOO, and Ragnar@JaysHouseMOO.
We distinguish three specific flavors of isonyms: quasi-isonyms, epi-isonyms, and isonyms proper.
Quasi-isonyms
Quasi-isonyms are words in which there is a punctuation mark of some type, like pate/pate' and I have not attempted to make a complete list of these. A few examples: grave/grave', pave/pate',resort/re-sort, resume/re'sume'.
Epi-isonyms
Epi-isonyms include the best known example of the whole breed. They are words in which capitalization changes the pronunciation of the word. The question asked repeatedly on cheesy radio talk shows is: "What is the only word in the English Language that changes its pronunciation when it is capitalized?" We admit we're on shaky ground where some of these, which are egregious mispronunciations, are concerned. If they're in the dictionary, they count.
The (known) answers to the Radio Question are as follows:
- August, august (AW-gust, the month; aw-GUST, the sombre demeanor.)
- Baton/baton (BAT-n, Baton Rouge LA; bah-TOH, a stick)
- Pierre, pierre (PEER, cap. of SD, USA; pee-AIR, male member in a company of pierrots.)
- Polish, polish (PO-lish; of Poland, PAW-lish, to shine.)
- Rainier, rainier (ray-NEER, mount in WA, USA; RAY-nee-er, more rain.)
Isonyms
And finally, isonyms proper. Ones whose legality we're uncertain of are marked with question marks. NOTE: I do not include words which are merely dialectic, eg. 'envelope' or 'tomato' or 'potato.' I do include words where the difference is a part of speech, like the verb in 'to separate' and the predicate nominative adjective in 'they are separate.' This list will eventually be put in a table and pronunciations added.
- abuse
- address
- advocate
- agape
- axes
- bases
- bass
- bow (s)
- buffet
- bustier
- cathedral
- close
- console
- content
- contract
- do
- does
- dove
- draught (s) (?)
- drawer
- entrance
- glower
- house
- invalid
- intimate
- lead (s)
- live (s)
- minute
- misuse
- mobile
- moped
- mow
- multiply
- object
- perfect
- periodic
- pique
- precedent
- predate
- present
- progress
- project
- read
- rebel
- recenter
- recreation
- reform
- refuse
- resent
- route
- row (s)
- secreted
- separate
- sewer
- shower
- sin (?)
- singer
- slaver
- slough
- subject
- tear (s)
- unionized
- use
- wicked
- wind (s)
- wound
Any submissions would be gratefully accepted and acknowledged.
Submit to katana@frii.com
This page created on 12/1/96, last modified on 5/10/98.
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