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Glite Dictionary
monosemous

monosemous

9.8
A word that has only one meaning
  • adjective
  • /ˌmɒnəˈsiːməs/
  • Jargon
translation icon : monosemo
  • The dictionary entry showed that 'yacht' is mostly monosemous, unlike more ambiguous terms.

Examples

  • Unlike many English words, 'saxophone' is monosemous and refers only to the musical instrument.

  • The term 'cat' is monosemous in this context.

  • Linguists find it rare for a frequently used verb to be completely monosemous.

  • Is 'book' monosemous or polysemous?

  • The word 'cat' is monosemous in the context of referring specifically to a domesticated feline.

  • In legal terminology, a monosemous definition ensures that all parties understand the same meaning of a term.

  • Using a monosemous vocabulary can enhance clarity in scientific discussions.

Synonyms

univocal
vsmonosemous
  • Formal
1 8.8

A single clear meaning with no other way to understand it

is used for words that have exactly one meaning

How Ambiguous

polysemous
  • Specialized
8.8
equivocal
6 7.6
ambiguous
68 6.3
monosemous
  • Jargon
9.8

Surface Forms

monosemous positive

Morphology

monosemous = mono + sem + ous

The word is systematically built from classical elements meaning 'one' and 'meaning/sign', but the root is not a familiar standalone English word for most learners.

Etymology

Monosemous is made of Greek parts: mono- meaning 'one' and -semous related to 'meaning', as in semantic. So monosemous means 'one meaning', and we use it for a word that has only a single meaning.