noun
polysemy
POL-ih-see-mee
Polysemy (noun) means the fact that a single word or symbol has several related meanings. Example: “The polysemy of the word 'head' lets it refer to a body part, a leader or the top of a page.”
noun
1
The fact that a single word or symbol has several related meanings.
"The polysemy of the word 'head' lets it refer to a body part, a leader or the top of a page."
"Dictionary writers must decide whether a word shows polysemy or is really two separate words."
"Polysemy can make translation harder, since each meaning may need a different word in another language."
How to use polysemy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhen one word carries several related meanings.
When to use it
It is a technical term used in linguistics and semantics.
Memory tip
It is usually uncountable, so you normally say 'polysemy' rather than 'a polysemy'.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
homonymy
Common pairings
lexical polysemy
the polysemy of a word
examples of polysemy
polysemy and homonymy
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Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the word 'head' lets it refer to a body part, a leader or the top of a page.
Etymology
The word is formed in English from polyseme plus the suffix -y.
Antonyms
monosemy
Rhymes for polysemy
See all rhymes for polysemy →Frequently asked questions
What is polysemy?
Polysemy is when one word or sign has more than one meaning, often with the meanings being related to each other.
What is the difference between polysemy and homonymy?
Both involve a word form with several meanings. Polysemy usually describes related meanings, while homonymy describes unrelated ones.
What is the opposite of polysemy?
The opposite is monosemy, where a word has only one meaning.
What is the meaning of polysemy?
"polysemy" (noun) means the fact that a single word or symbol has several related meanings.
