Search
Select the dictionary language
Monosemy
01
the condition in which a word or expression has only one primary or dominant meaning, without significant ambiguity or variation in interpretation
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Abstract
Composition
Compound
Uncountable
What is "monosemy"?
Monosemy refers to a situation in which a word has only one clear meaning or sense. Unlike polysemy, where a single word can have multiple related meanings, monosemic words do not create confusion about their interpretation. For example, the word "cylinder" has a specific definition referring to a three-dimensional geometric shape with circular ends. Understanding monosemy is important for clarity in communication, as it ensures that the intended meaning of a word is straightforward and easily understood without ambiguity.
