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polysemy

Noun CEFR B2
ˈpɒ.lɪ.siː.mi

Definitions

The quality characteristic of a polyseme, a sign (such as a word or symbol) that has multiple meanings (senses), often including multiple similar ones.

uncountable, usually

Equivalents

18 more languages

Examples

“Fifty years ago the linguist and semanticist Stephen Ullmann wrote that polysemy, the fact that some words have⟳ a network of multiple but related meanings, is "the pivot of semantic analysis" […]”
“Polysemy proliferates in natural language: Virtually every word is polysemous to some extent.”

CEFR level

B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.
See all B2 English words →

See also

polysensitization polysequence polyserine polyserositis polysexuality polysheath

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