polysemous
adjective C2
Plain meaning
having several related meanings
Exam-register meaning
In formal or high-level texts, it is used to describe having several related meanings, often with a precise or specialised tone.
In context
naturalHis response sounded polysemous, so the conversation became difficult.
examThe passage presents a polysemous assessment of the policy’s wider consequences.
Common collocations
a polysemous responsepolysemous behavioura polysemous situation
Watch out
Do not use “very polysemous” automatically; some advanced adjectives already carry a strong meaning or need a more natural intensifier.
Word family
polysemousness (noun, where natural)polysemously (adverb, where natural)