Definition

The quality of a word or phrase having more than one meaning or interpretation.

Example

The word 'bank' is an example of polysemy because it can refer to a financial institution or the side of a river.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the term polysemy?

Yeah, it's when a word has multiple meanings, right?

Exactly! It's interesting how one word can mean so many things.

I know, it makes language so much richer and more complex.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Polysemy → It is formed from "poly-" (from Greek "polus", meaning many) and "semēion" (from Greek, meaning sign or meaning). The word "polysemy" refers to the phenomenon where a single word has multiple meanings or signs.

Memory Tip

Think of 'many' ('poly-') meanings or 'signs' ('semēion') that a single word can have — that's what polysemy is all about.

Visually Confused Words