double meaning

Intentionally ambiguous phrasing

A double meaning is a second interpretation lurking beneath the surface of a word or phrase.

The term usually implies deliberate ambiguity—often for humor or innuendo: Everything he says has a double meaning.

Double meanings exploit words that sound alike or have multiple senses, allowing speakers to say one thing while suggesting another.

ambiguity

pun

Wordplay using double meanings

wordplayVerbal wit techniques
innuendoOblique disparaging remark
equivocationAmbiguous language avoiding commitment

suggestive · euphemism · subtext · coded language · wink · nudge · reading between lines · tongue-in-cheek · loaded · veiled

interpretation

ambiguous

Having multiple interpretations

polysemousHaving multiple meanings
multivalentHaving multiple values or meanings
equivocalUncertain in meaning

semantic · connotation · denotation · figurative · literal · metaphorical · symbolic · layered · nuanced · cryptic

Categories

humorjoke, jokes, joking, comedy, comic
languagelanguage, word, words, grammar, spelling
meaningsense, significance, denotation, definition, connotation
interpretationinterpretive dance, translation, interpreting, translating, construing
jokesjokes, joke, puns, one-liners, pun
passive aggressionsilent treatment, backhanded compliments, backhanded compliment, cold shoulder, eye rolling

Opposites

semantic clarity

double meaningliteral meaning

Exact, non-figurative interpretation

unambiguous · plain meaning · univocal · unequivocal · face value

communicative intent

double meaningplain speech

Unembellished verbal expression

straight talk · candor · bluntness · unvarnished truth · direct speech

Family

double, meaning, duplicate, doubled, doubling, doubles, doubly, duplicated, duplex

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G