what is it called?

[bednobs]

what is the name for words that are spelt the same but sound different eg: read and read

[jenty]

Homonyms

[Clanad]

Actually, the discription given more accurately fits Heteronyms

[bednobs]

thanks to both - still no clearer lol
if it makes it easier i mean spelled the sam but pronounced differently ie read can be pronounced red and reed - 2 different words.
I always though hmonyms were words that sounded the same but spelled differently?

[Tom Braider]

HOMONYM: One of two or more words that have the same sound and often the same spelling but differ in meaning, such as bank (embankment) and bank (place where money is kept).

HETERONYM: One of two or more words that have identical spellings but different meanings and pronunciations, such as row (a series of objects arranged in a line), pronounced (r), and row (a fight), pronounced (ro

HOMONYM: One of two or more words, such as night and knight, that are pronounced the same but differ in meaning, origin, and sometimes spelling.

[jno]

I think Tom's 3rd item is actually 'homophone'.

I think the answer is heteronyms, as others have said.

[fredpuli47]

Red and read (as in 'he has read' ) are homophone [adjective] and homophones .That is they are pronounced the same though spelt differently.

Read in 'to read' and read in 'he has read' are heteronyms.They are identical in spelling but different in sound and meaning.

A homonym is each of two words having the same written form but of different meaning and origin (or a person or thing having the same name as another, a namesake)

[bednobs]

thank you to everyone for bothering to answer!