2

I'm looking for one word (or a variety of words) that imply ambiguity through synonymous meaning.

"Do you have that in large?"

"No sir, we only have it in big, great, impressive, grand, and king-sized"

The closest I have are "double-entendre" and "heteronym", but neither is quite right: double-entendre tends to relate to smutty puns, and heteronymic(?) words have to be spelled the same.

Improve this question
2
  • Your question seems to be looking for a word that has many meanings, but your example is a meaning that has many ways to say it. Which do you mean?
    – Jeremy
    Commented Mar 11, 2016 at 21:30
  • @Jeremy relating to words that have many forms that have similar/identical meanings
    – Stumbler
    Commented Mar 11, 2016 at 21:34

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
4

A polymorph word. And from google's definition:

polymorph(s) - ˈpɒlɪmɔːf/
an organism or inorganic object or material which takes various forms.

This is also used in programming, for polymorphism, particularly object-oriented programming. A very beautiful word, if i have to say.

Improve this answer
3
  • Shameless self-congratulatory upvote! ;) Thank you.
    – Sakatox
    Commented Mar 11, 2016 at 22:24
  • 1
    @Sakatox I think equivoque might also fit the bill
    – Stumbler
    Commented Mar 11, 2016 at 22:54
  • Absolutely agree! I learned a new word today, only "complaint" i could muster up is the dictionary "smell" of it. Probably an occupational bias, but i do hear more polymorphism than equivoqueness.
    – Sakatox
    Commented Mar 11, 2016 at 23:00
2

No ! Sorry folks to disappoint your warmest enthusiasm...

So far polymorph concern the form, the shape (as says the previous definition !) that word is not the one expected...

This one should be : POLYSEMY (where -semy means sense/meaning)

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .