noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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UK:/hɛt.əˈɹɒɡ.ɹə.fi/
US:/hɛt.əˈɹɑ.ɡɹə.fi/
rhymes with -ɒɡɹəfi
1
noun
Meaning 1
An incorrect spelling; a spelling different from accepted spelling.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
Spelling in which a particular letter represents more than one possible sound.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
Examples
Heterography in English makes it difficult for foreigners to learn pronunciation.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *sem- Proto-Indo-European *sḿ̥teros Proto-Hellenic *hə́teros Ancient Greek ἕτερος (héteros)lbor. English hetero- Proto-Indo-European *gerbh- Proto-Hellenic *grə́phō Ancient Greek γρᾰ́φω (grắphō) Proto-Indo-European *-h2 Proto-Indo-European *-éh2 Ancient Greek -ᾱ (-ā) Ancient Greek -η (-ē) Ancient Greek γραφή (graphḗ) Ancient Greek -γραφίᾱ (-graphíā)bor. French -graphieder. English -graphy English heterography From hetero- + -graphy.
Across languages
Translations
2 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Polish:
heterografia
— an incorrect spelling
Polish:
heterografia
— spelling in which a particular letter represents more than one possible sound