Definition of Polysemy

the condition of a word or symbol having more than one meaning or connotation

Examples of Polysemy in a sentence

Polysemy word patterns can be confusing since the words are spelled the same but have different meanings.  🔊

Because it is part of a polysemy pattern, the word bat can refer to a winged animal or a wooden stick.  🔊

Polysemy can cause misunderstandings when reading a text since polysomic words can have many different meanings.  🔊

The word pupil example of the polysemy phenomenon since it can mean a part of the eye or a student.  🔊

Up to forty percent of words in the English language fall into the category of polysemy, meaning they have more than one connotation.  🔊

Other words in the Grammar & English Usage category:

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