30 Examples of Polysemia

Polysemy

The polysemy It is a phenomenon that occurs when a word or linguistic sign has several meanings. For example: Bank (financial institution) and Bank (chair to sit on).

The term cop means "many" and week means "meaning." Polysemic words must be understood according to the context, which must clarify what meaning it refers to. For example: The cure he was late for the wedding. / There is still no cure for Covid-19.

Polysemic words are homograph words, that is, they are written the same but can refer to different concepts.

Examples of polysemy

Shake (Verb)

• Move an object. For example: You need to shake the shaker to achieve the desired result.
• Cause social unrest. For example: His speech was intended to stir up his followers.

Bank

• Seat that can be used by several people at the same time. For example: Let's rest on that bench.
• Financial entity. For example: I asked for a loan at the bank.

Head

• Part of the body, human or animal. For example: My brother hit his head.
• Front of. For example: They were at the head of the line.

Cape

• Point of land that penetrates into the sea. For example: We will visit Cape Horn.
• Military rank, immediately superior to the first-class soldier. For example: Cabo Sosa will explain it to you.
• In nautical jargon, a rope is a rope. For example: Get me the cape so we tie ourselves.

Camera

• Machine for taking photos or filming. For example: Do I have a camera?
• Refrigerated room. For example: Through here you can see the cold room, where we keep the fish.

Canine

• Relating to the dog. For example: We have offers on canine food.
• Tooth also called tusk, located between the dental arches. For example: The dentist found a cavity on his canine.

Cap

• Substance that covers or bathes something. For example: All the furniture had a coating of dust.
• Long, loose and sleeveless garment, worn over the shoulders and open at the front. For example: You better sew the cape to the suit if you want to look like Superman.

Helmet

• Rigid material cap that protects the head. For example: The helmet is an essential safety measure.
• Body of a ship or an airplane, regardless of the rigging or the machines. For example: The hull was severely damaged.

Clove

• Metal element used to join two objects. For example: I got hurt on a rusty nail.
• Aromatic spice for gastronomic use. For example: Before finishing, add cloves.

Crest

• Part of the body of animals that protrudes, usually on the head. For example: Chickens do not have the crest that characterizes the rooster.
• Top of a wave. For example: From the ridge I could feel more adrenaline than ever.

Tail

• Back of the animal that protrudes to the rest of the body. For example: The cat uses its tail for balance.
• Adhesive. For example: For this work we will need vinyl glue.

Column

• Long cylindrical support in buildings, used to support roofs or as an ornament. For example: The front of the temple exhibits a series of Doric columns.
• Part of the skeleton that structures the support. For example: He hit his spine and they feared he would not be able to walk again.

Cup

• Stem glass used for drinking. For example: They filled the wine glasses.
• Set of branches and leaves of a tree. For example: The birds took refuge in the top of the tree.

Bedroom

• Fragment of the unit when it is divided into four. For example: I'll take a quarter pound of ice cream with me.
• Bedroom. For example: On the upper floor is the main room.

Digital

• Regarding the fingers. For example: They solved the case thanks to fingerprints.
• Systems or devices that encode content in discrete value magnitudes. For example: It has a digital clock.

Starry

• Filled with stars. For example: We look at the starry sky.
• Violent blow For example: The egg ended up smashed on the kitchen floor.

Cat

• Feline animal. For example: My neighbor's cat always ends up on my balcony.
• Tool used to lift loads thanks to a lever or a crank. For example: I can't change the car wheel if I can't find the jack.

grenade

• Fruit of a tree. For example: Do you want pomegranate candy?
• Explosive device. For example: The riots began with the throwing of a grenade.

lime

• Citrus fruit. For example: Have you tried the lime ice cream?
• Instrument used for polishing. It can be both metal and cardboard. For example: I must find the file if I want to improve the appearance of my hands.
• Capital of Peru. For example: We will spend two days in Lima before leaving for Machu Pichu.

Lunar

• The relative to the moon. For example: The lunar tour around the Earth lasts 28 days.
• Mark on the skin, darker than the rest of the surface. For example: I like the mole on her lip.

Order

• Put things in order. For example: We have to tidy up the desk.
• The judge ordered the defendant's release. For example: The judge ordered the trial to be postponed for another month.
• Receive holy orders. For example: The priest is new, he was ordained a year ago.

Movie

• Thin layer. For example: Finally, they must cover the plate with this film to give it resistance.
• Cinematographic work. For example: Today is an ideal day to watch a movie and cry.

Peak

• The protruding part of the bird's head used to take food or to defend itself. For example: At their peak they can carry prey twice their weight.
• Pointed tool for chipping or digging. For example: Take the pick and help me finish this well.
• Top of a mountain. For example: Only two climbers made it to the peak.

Plant

• Plant organism. For example: I'm not good at taking care of the plants in the garden.
• Bottom of the foot. For example: A mosquito bit me on the sole of my foot.
• Each of the heights of a building. For example: It is a two-story house.

Feather

• Structure of the skin of birds. For example: Look at the feathers of that parrot!
• Item to write. For example: Can you lend me a pen?

Real

• Something that does exist. For example: This is a true story.
• Relating to royalty. For example: This year there will be a new royal wedding.

saw

• Tool for cutting hard objects like wood. For example: We will need a saw to make the cut.
• Elevation of the terrain, part of a mountain range. For example: The first mountains can be seen far away.

Tank

• Armored fighting vehicle. For example: It is a tank used in the second world war.
• Closed tank for liquids or gases. For example: The water tank has a leak.

Tibia

• Main and anterior bone of the leg. For example: My brother fractured his tibia.
• Which has a warm temperature. For example: In the morning I drink warm water with lemon.

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