What defines polysemous words?

Polysemous words are defined as those that have multiple meanings. This characteristic allows a single word to convey different ideas or concepts depending on the context in which it is used. For example, the word "bank" can refer to a financial institution where people manage their money or the side of a river. This multiplicity of meanings is essential in understanding language, as it demonstrates how context can shape communication and interpretation. In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of polysemy, focusing instead on aspects that are unrelated to the central concept of a word's varying meanings.