Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
polysemy
Noun
/pəˈlɪsəmi/
Definition
Polysemy refers to the phenomenon where a single word has multiple meanings or senses that are related by extension.
Examples
- The word “bank” is an example of polysemy, as it can refer to a financial institution or the side of a river.
- The term “light” demonstrates polysemy, signifying both brightness and something that is not heavy.
Meaning
The ability of a word to have more than one meaning, often leading to different interpretations in different contexts.
Synonyms
- Multiplicity of meaning
- Semantic ambiguity
- Multiple senses
