Polysemy

Polysemy refers to a single word having multiple related meanings. For example, the word "bank" can mean the side of a river or a financial institution. This can lead to vagueness when the context isn’t clear, making it difficult to determine which meaning is intended. Understanding polysemy is important in communication, as it highlights how words can convey different ideas depending on their use in a sentence. Recognizing the context helps clarify meaning, reducing ambiguity and enhancing effective communication.