polysemy

noun/pəˈlɪsəmi/

Frequency rank: #19,917 most common English word

Meaning

The coexistence of multiple related meanings within a single word.

Illustration for the English word “polysemy”

Example sentence

The word 'bank' is a classic example of polysemy, since it can mean a financial institution or the side of a river.

Synonyms & related words

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