polýsemous

Polysemous is an adjective used in linguistics to describe words that have multiple meanings. These words are often referred to as homographs, as they share the same spelling but differ in their meanings based on the context in which they are used. For example, the word "bank" can refer to the side of a river, a financial institution, or the act of leaning or tilting. Polysemous words can be further categorized into two types: homonyms and homophones. Homonyms are words that share the same spelling and pronunciation but have different meanings, such as "bow" (a knot) and "bow" (to bend forward). Homophones, on the other hand, are words that share the same pronunciation but have different meanings and spellings, such as "knead" and "need". Polysemous words can be challenging for language learners and writers, as they require careful consideration of context to determine the correct meaning. However, they also add richness and complexity to language, allowing for more nuanced and expressive communication.