Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms & Word Relationships (B2) - Lesson 5: Recognizing Polysemy (words with multiple meanings)

Lesson 5: Recognizing Polysemy When One Word Wears Many Hats You've learned about homographs—different words spelled the same. But what about when it's the same word with multiple, related meanings? This is called polysemy (poly- means 'many', -semy means 'meaning'). It's like one person with many different jobs. Understanding that a single word can 'wear many hats' is a crucial skill for B2 reading and listening comprehension. Key Vocabulary Polysemy (noun) | ពហុន័យ The existence of several meanings for a single word or phrase. Context (noun) | បរិបទ The situation or words that are around a word and help to show its meaning. What is Polysemy? Polysemy is when a single word has two or more related meanings. Unlike homographs, these meanings often share a logical connection. The correct meaning is always decided by the context of the sentence. Common Polysemous Words Word Meaning 1 Meaning 2 Meaning 3 (if applicable) run To move fast with your legs. "He can run ve…