double meaning
"Double meaning" refers to a linguistic phenomenon where a single word or phrase has two different interpretations, often used for humor or emphasis.
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Definition
B2General
(common)A phrase or expression with two distinct interpretations.
Example
- The word 'bark' has a double meaning, referring both to the sound a dog makes and the outer covering of a tree.
C1Literature
(academic)A statement or phrase that can be understood in more than one way, often used for rhetorical or humorous effect.
Example
- Shakespeare often used double meanings in his plays to add depth to his characters' dialogues.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "double meaning":