polysemantic

9.6

Having several different meanings

adjective
/ˌpɒliˈsɛmənˌtɪk/

Specialized

: polisémico

Some linguists study polysemantic words to understand language development.

Examples

The English word 'bank' is polysemantic, as it can refer to a financial institution or the side of a river.
A word can be polysemantic.
A polysemantic term can cause confusion if the context is not clear.
The word polysemantic can refer to multiple meanings.
The word 'polysemantic' is used in linguistics to describe a term that has multiple meanings.
A polysemantic word can lead to confusion if the context is not clearly defined.
In discussions about language, 'polysemantic' terms are often highlighted for their varied interpretations.

Synonyms

ambiguous

vspolysemantic

68 6.3

Not clear because it can have more than one meaning

simply states several meanings without implying unclear or confusing use

polysemous

vspolysemantic

Specialized

8.8

A word that has more than one meaning

is the same meaning but is an alternative label

multivocal

vspolysemantic

7.7

Having several different voices or points of view

focuses only on several meanings of a single word rather than voices

multivalent

vspolysemantic

9.2

Having many possible meanings for different people

refers specifically to several word meanings rather than wider values or appeals

Compounds

polysemantic word

Specialized

7.7

A word that has more than one meaning

How Polysemous

polysemantic

Specialized

9.6

ambiguous

68 6.3

Surface Forms

polysemantic positive

Morphology

polysemantic = semantic (transparent) = poly + semant + ic

The prefix 'poly-' clearly means 'many' and the adjective 'semantic' supplies the meaning 'related to meaning', so the sense 'having several meanings' is directly compositional.

Etymology

The word polysemantic comes from the Greek parts poly- meaning 'many' and semantic meaning 'meaning', just like polygon uses poly- for 'many'. So a polysemantic word is one that has many different meanings.