Learning Materials
Features
Discover
Before explaining the term lexical ambiguity, let's define the word 'lexical'. 'Lexis' means 'words'. Lexical is the adjective form of lexis. So 'Lexical ambiguity' means 'word ambiguity'.
Millions of flashcards designed to help you ace your studies
Sign up for freeTrue or false - Homophone is the broader term of homograph and homonymy.
True or false - Homograph is about words that are pronounced the same but have different spellings.
True or false?Lexical ambiguity often occurs when the speaker/author doesn't have the same background information as the listener/reader.
If the speakers/writers have the same reference or background information as the listeners/readers, ambiguities can be __________.
Polysemy concerns what?
True or false?A homophone is a word that has different meanings and spellings but is pronounced the same.
True or false?Lexical ambiguity often occurs when the speaker/author doesn't have the same background information as the listener/reader.
If the speakers/writers have the same reference or background information as the listeners/readers, ambiguities can be __________.
Polysemy concerns what?
True or false?A homophone is a word that has different meanings and spellings but is pronounced the same.
True or false - Homophone is the broader term of homograph and homonymy.
True or false - Homograph is about words that are pronounced the same but have different spellings.
Achieve better grades quicker with Premium
Geld-zurück-Garantie, wenn du durch die Prüfung fällst
Did you know that StudySmarter supports you beyond learning?
Review generated flashcards
Start learning or create your own AI flashcards
Team Lexical Ambiguity Teachers
Thank you for your interest in audio learning!
This feature isn’t ready just yet, but we’d love to hear why you prefer audio learning.
Why do you prefer audio learning? (optional)
Send FeedbackLexical ambiguity happens when a word with two or more meanings is used in a way which causes more than one possible interpretation. This often happens when the speaker/author doesn't have the same background information as the listener/reader (ie. Not enough contextual information). For example:
Give me the bat!
The bat can be interpreted in two ways:
A baseball bat or a cricket bat (used for sports).
A flying, nocturnal animal.
Without context, it isn't clear whether the speaker is referring to the first or second of these meanings. This can cause lexical ambiguity.
Ambiguous words can arise from different parts of speech, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, or a combination of these. Here are some examples of lexical ambiguity in words and sentences:
Fig. 1 - Lexical ambiguity noun-noun example.
Verb-noun:
Scrub - 'to clean' or 'special clothes worn by surgeons' or 'exfoliator'
Noun phrase:
Funny man - 'amusing man' or 'strange man'
Lexical ambiguity can be classified into two types: polysemy and homonymy. Both cases involve an ambiguous meaning. The differences lie in the word form and the relationship of the multiple meanings.
Fig. 2 - Polysemy involves related meanings, whereas homonymy involves unrelated meanings.
Polysemy describes a single word with many related meanings. The multiple definitions are listed under one entry in a dictionary, eg, as a noun or verb (word form 1 has meaning 1 and meaning 2).
Some polysemic words include:
Bar (noun).
Get (verb).
Light (adjective).
Homonymy refers to words that are pronounced the same or spelt the same (or both), but their meanings aren't related to each other. The different words are listed under separate entries in dictionaries, eg, as a noun and verb (word form 1 has meaning 1; word form 2 has meaning 2).
Some examples of homonyms are:
Bar (noun & verb).
Light (adjective & noun).
Cool (adjective & noun).
There are two more specific terms that only concern either spelling or pronunciation. These are called homographs and homophones.
A homophone is a word that has different meanings and spellings but is pronounced the same. For example, a while - awhile, bee - be, cell - sell, cord - chord, beet - beat.
A homograph is a word that has different meanings and pronunciations but is spelt the same. For example, to live - live (live show), to lead - a lead (metal), a bass (a fish) - a bass (bass guitar).
Fig. 3 - Homophones and homographs are types of homonyms.
Structural ambiguity occurs when the structure of a sentence causes multiple interpretations. It is also known as syntactic ambiguity. For example, the sentences/phrase below can cause some ambiguities:
He bought some blue books and pens.
Students who mess around occasionally apologize.
A modern English textbook
Lexical ambiguity and structural ambiguity differ in what causes the multiple interpretations.
Lexical Ambiguity refers to an ambiguity that is produced by the multiple meanings of a word. The listener/reader isn't sure what the speaker/writer means at the word level.
Structural ambiguity refers to an ambiguity that is caused by the structure of a sentence.
That being said, in both cases, clarity and accuracy depend on how the information is transmitted, received, and processed. If the speakers/writers have the same reference or background information as the listeners/readers, ambiguities can be avoided. If both parties have little in common, the chance of experiencing ambiguities is higher.
Sign up for free to gain access to all our flashcards.
What is lexical ambiguity?
Lexical ambiguity is an ambiguity that is caused by the multiple meanings of a word.
What is an example of lexical ambiguity?
An example of lexical ambiguity is metal - 'a substance' or 'a music genre'.
What are the types of lexical ambiguity?
The types of lexical ambiguity are polysemy and homonymy.
What is structural ambiguity?
Structural ambiguity is an ambiguity that is caused by the structure of a sentence.
What is the difference between lexical and structural ambiguity?
Lexical ambiguity and structural ambiguity differ in terms of what causes the various interpretations. Lexical ambiguity is caused by the multiple meanings of a word, whereas structural ambiguity is caused by the structure of a sentence.
At StudySmarter, we have created a learning platform that serves millions of students. Meet the people who work hard to deliver fact based content as well as making sure it is verified.
Lily Hulatt is a Digital Content Specialist with over three years of experience in content strategy and curriculum design. She gained her PhD in English Literature from Durham University in 2022, taught in Durham University’s English Studies Department, and has contributed to a number of publications. Lily specialises in English Literature, English Language, History, and Philosophy.
Get to know Lily
Gabriel Freitas is an AI Engineer with a solid experience in software development, machine learning algorithms, and generative AI, including large language models’ (LLMs) applications. Graduated in Electrical Engineering at the University of São Paulo, he is currently pursuing an MSc in Computer Engineering at the University of Campinas, specializing in machine learning topics. Gabriel has a strong background in software engineering and has worked on projects involving computer vision, embedded AI, and LLM applications.
Get to know Gabriel
StudySmarter is a globally recognized educational technology company, offering a holistic learning platform designed for students of all ages and educational levels. Our platform provides learning support for a wide range of subjects, including STEM, Social Sciences, and Languages and also helps students to successfully master various tests and exams worldwide, such as GCSE, A Level, SAT, ACT, Abitur, and more. We offer an extensive library of learning materials, including interactive flashcards, comprehensive textbook solutions, and detailed explanations. The cutting-edge technology and tools we provide help students create their own learning materials. StudySmarter’s content is not only expert-verified but also regularly updated to ensure accuracy and relevance.
Learn moreSave explanations to your personalised space and access them anytime, anywhere!
By signing up, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy of StudySmarter.
Already have an account? Log in
Sign up to highlight and take notes. It’s 100% free.
The first learning app that truly has everything you need to ace your exams in one place
The first learning platform with all the tools and study materials you need.
Explanations 
Flashcards 
StudySmarter AI 
Notes 
Study Plans 
Study Sets 
Exams 
Find a job 
Student Deals 
Magazine 
Mobile App 
