Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms & Word Relationships (C1) - Lesson 4: Unpacking Polysemy: Words with Multiple Layers of Meaning

C1 - Lesson 4: Unpacking Polysemy

Words with Multiple Layers of Meaning

How can the word `key` mean a piece of metal for a lock, the most important part of a plan, and a set of musical notes? This is possible because of polysemy¹, where a single word has multiple, related meanings or senses² that have evolved from a central, core meaning³. Unlike homonyms (e.g., `bat` the animal vs. `bat` for baseball), the meanings of a polysemous word are connected. Mastering polysemy is crucial for understanding nuanced and figurative English.

Unpacking Polysemous Words

Let's deconstruct some common words to see how their different senses relate to a core idea.

1. Word: run

Core Meaning: To move or operate continuously.

• Sense (Movement): To move with your legs at a fast pace. (Ex: "I run along the Kampot riverside every morning.")
• Sense (Mechanical): For a machine or engine to operate. (Ex: "You should leave the car's engine running for a few minutes.")
• Sense (Business): To manage or be in charge of. (Ex: "She successfully runs two restaurants in town.")
• Sense (Liquid): For a liquid to flow. (Ex: "The water was left running and flooded the bathroom.")
• Sense (Computing): For a software program to execute. (Ex: "You need to run the installation file.")

Analysis: All these senses involve a process of continuous action, movement, or operation.

2. Word: head

Core Meaning: The top, foremost, or leading part of something.

• Sense (Anatomy): The top part of the human body. (Ex: "He nodded his head.")
• Sense (Leader): The person in charge. (Ex: "She is the head of the marketing department.")
• Sense (Direction): To move in a particular direction. (Ex: "Let's head back before it gets dark.")
• Sense (Top): The top or front of an object or list. (Ex: "Write your name at the head of the page.")

Analysis: All these senses relate to the idea of being at the top, in the front, or in a leading position.

Discourse in Action: A Project Briefing

Notice how a manager uses the polysemous word `drive` in several different senses during a short talk.

"Good morning. The main goal of this presentation is to drive home the importance of our new project. We know that market share is a key driver of success, and we expect this initiative to have a major impact. I need everyone to show their personal drive and commitment. Now, I'm going to drive you through the main points of the plan. We'll start with the marketing strategy..."

• drive home a point: to state something with force and clarity.
• a key driver: a main factor that causes something to happen.
• personal drive: internal motivation and ambition.
• drive you through the plan: to guide someone through a process.

quiz Check Your Understanding

1. In the sentence, "This is a key factor in our decision," the word `key` means...

• a) ...a metal object for a lock.
• b) ...a button on a keyboard.
• c) ...crucial or most important.

Click to see the answer

Answer: c) ...crucial or most important.

2. Which sentence uses the word `foot` in a figurative, geographical sense?

• a) My left foot is bigger than my right.
• b) The hotel is located at the foot of the mountain.
• c) The page number is at the foot of the page.

Click to see the answer

Answer: b) The hotel is located at the foot of the mountain.

3. Polysemy is when one word has multiple, RELATED meanings. Homonymy is when two words sound the same but have UNRELATED meanings. Which of these pairs is an example of HOMONYMY?

• a) The `head` of a person / The `head` of a company.
• b) To `run` a race / To `run` a business.
• c) The `bank` of a river / A `bank` for money.

Click to see the answer

Answer: c) The `bank` of a river / A `bank` for money. (These meanings have different, unrelated origins).

edit Your Mission

1. Unpack a Word: The word `arm` has a core meaning related to a limb. Use a monolingual dictionary to find at least two other related meanings (senses) for `arm`. Write down each sense with an example sentence.
2. Context is Key: Write two of your own sentences using the word `book`. In the first, use it as a noun. In the second, use it as a verb. (e.g., to book a table at a restaurant).
3. Polysemy in the Wild: Read one page of an English book or news article. Find one common word that is used in a slightly different sense from its most literal meaning. Write down the sentence and explain the sense of the word in that context.

book Lesson Glossary

1. Polysemy (noun) - Khmer: ពហុន័យ (pɔ-hu-ney) - The existence of several related meanings for a single word or phrase. ↩
2. Sense (of a word) (noun) - Khmer: ន័យ (ney) - One of the different meanings of a single word. ↩
3. Core Meaning (noun phrase) - Khmer: ន័យស្នូល (ney snuol) - The central, most basic idea from which the different senses of a polysemous word have developed. ↩