polysemia Definition
the capacity for a word or phrase to have multiple meanings or interpretations.
Using polysemia: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "polysemia" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The word 'bank' has several meanings, demonstrating its polysemia.
Example
Polysemia can cause confusion in language learners who are not familiar with the various meanings of words.
Example
The polysemia of the word 'run' is illustrated by its use in phrases such as 'run a business' and 'run a race.'
polysemia Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for polysemia
- ambiguity
- multivocality
- multiplicity of meaning
Summary: polysemia in Brief
Polysemia [pol-ee-see-mee-uh] refers to the ability of a word or phrase to have multiple meanings or interpretations. It can cause confusion for language learners and is exemplified by words like 'bank' and 'run,' which have several different meanings depending on context.
