Almost every word in the dictionary has more than one meaning. Why then do we not become confused constantly by this ambiguity? The multiple meanings of most of the words we use do not confuse us because ________.
A) we never know what a person means anyway
B) we use context and purpose to pick out the speaker's meaning
C) we use vagueness to negotiate interests
D) we go online to find out what a word means

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Our ability to use context and purpose to pick out the speaker's intended meaning allows us to understand the correct definition of a word in most situations, despite its potential multiple meanings. The other options do not accurately explain why we are not constantly confused by the ambiguity of language.

Almost Every Word in the Dictionary Has More Than One