Definitions
What is semantic structure?
The system of meanings of a word.
Which meaning is the direct dictionary meaning of a word?
Denotative meaning.
What do we call a word with several related meanings?
Polysemantic word.
Leg of a table” is an example of what?
Metaphor
What are words with opposite meanings called?
Antonyms
Which branch of linguistics studies word meanings?
Semantics
Which word has a negative connotation: slim or skinny?
Skinny
Give one secondary meaning of the word “head.”
Leader / top part / front part.
“The White House announced new laws.” Which device is used?
Metonymy
What are words with similar meanings called?
Synonyms
What is the difference between denotative and connotative meaning?
Denotative meaning is direct dictionary meaning, while connotative meaning expresses emotion, attitude, or stylistic coloring.
Which word is more formal: home or residence?
Residence
Why is the word “foot” considered polysemantic?
Because it has several related meanings such as body part and bottom of something.
What is the main difference between metaphor and metonymy?
Metaphor is based on similarity, while metonymy is based on association.
What is a semantic field?
A group of words related in meaning.
Explain monosemy with an example.
Monosemy means a word has only one meaning; for example, “oxygen.”
Identify the type of connotation in the word “daddy.”
Emotional connotation.
What helps us understand the correct meaning of a polysemantic word?
Context
“The crown decided to increase taxes.” Why is this metonymy?
Because “the crown” represents the monarchy or king through association.
What is the difference between homonyms and polysemantic words?
Homonyms have unrelated meanings, while polysemantic words have related meanings.
What type of meaning is shown in the sentence: “She is a slim girl,” and why is it different from “skinny girl”?
It shows positive evaluative connotation because “slim” sounds attractive, while “skinny” has a negative connotation meaning too thin.
In the sentence “That politician is a fox,” identify the denotative and connotative meanings of the word “fox.”
Denotative meaning: a wild animal.
Connotative meaning: a clever or cunning person.
Give three meanings of the word “run.”
To move fast, to manage something, and to flow.
Explain why “eye of a needle” is metaphorical.
Because the hole of the needle is compared to a human eye based on similarity of shape/function.
Explain the difference between synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms with examples.
Synonyms: similar meanings (big-large)
Antonyms: opposite meanings (hot-cold)
Homonyms: same form but different meanings (bank-bank)