polysemous
Word with meanings
Polysemous describes a word that has multiple related meanings branching from a common core.
Bank (riverbank, money bank) has two unrelated origins—those are homonyms.
But *crane* (the bird, the machine) shares a single origin, making it polysemous: Most common words are polysemous.
The noun is polysemy.
Having multiple interpretations
- equivocalUncertain in meaning
- vagueUnclear, ill-defined
- unclearNot easily understood
- multiple meaningsSeveral distinct senses
indeterminate · double meaning · wordplay · pun · double entendre · ambivalent · multivalent · nebulous
Study of linguistic meaning
- homonymWord with twin sound
- homographShared spelling, separate meanings
- homophoneIdentically pronounced, differently spelled word
- lexemeFundamental dictionary unit
lexical · lexicography · lexicology · etymology · morpheme · denotation · connotation · synonym
ambiguous
Having multiple interpretations
multiple meanings · indeterminate · double meaning · wordplay · pun · double entendre · ambivalent · multivalent · nebulous · indefinite
semantics
Study of linguistic meaning
- homonymWord with twin sound
- homographShared spelling, separate meanings
- homophoneIdentically pronounced, differently spelled word
lexeme · lexical · lexicography · lexicology · etymology · morpheme · denotation · connotation · synonym · antonym
bank
Place holding deposits
set · spring · light · bark · match · fair · bow · lead · tear · wind