Heteronym may refer to:

• One of two or more words spelled alike that differ in pronunciation and meaning;
• One or more imaginary character(s) created by a poet, to write in different styles.

Language

The more common meaning of heteronym refers to words which are spelled alike but have different pronunciations and meanings, homographs. (See List of heteronyms and List of English homographs.)

Poetry

Fernando Pessoa is the poet best known for the use of the heteronymic device. It is said that Pessoa had over fifty heteronyms living inside of his head, each with a different manner of writing, preferences, likes, dislikes and even varying mother-tongues. Some of these were poets while others wrote fiction. Additionally, the heteronyms critiqued each other and oftentimes got into arguments.

One heteronym even attempted to break up Pessoa's only known relationship with a woman and even penned a letter to her on behalf of Pessoa.

This behavior is often associated with people who have a natural desire of being alone.

See also

• -onym