duality of meaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "duality of meaning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing concepts, words, or phrases that have more than one interpretation or significance. Example: "The poem's richness lies in its duality of meaning, allowing readers to interpret it in various ways."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Recently it has taken on a duality of meaning.

The Guardian - Opinion

47 48 Future studies should use clearer definitions of appropriate polypharmacy because the term 'polypharmacy' can be both negative and positive, and this duality of meaning makes objective research difficult.

BMJ Open

Duality of meaning is something that Google pays attention to.

Vice

The two questions are completely bogus -- Sexton has chosen the word "tunneling" which is a great choice in both its complexity and duality of meaning, a great image for the moment she's describing.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This phenomenon this fact of a pervasive duality of meanings for 'object' carries with it a significant potential for still other confusions or conflations over potentially distinct high-level logico-semantic categories.

SEP

And the failure of our entertainment and information brokers to float the idea of dualities of meaning, of context, has wider political and social consequences.

The Guardian - Opinion

And the unwieldy mother concept of the tour: the duality of well-meaning good girl and rapacious animal-robot-dance-titan.

The New York Times - Arts

Some, if not most, of this confusion is a result of a very important but neglected duality in the meaning of "adaptation" (in spite of useful discussions in Brandon 1978, Burian 1983, Krimbas 1984, Sober 1984).

SEP

This duality in meaning reflects the dual nature of standardization, which involves both abstract and concrete aspects.

SEP

For centuries the two were carved together, signifying the duality of human existence.The jihadists of Islamic State (IS) understand the meaning of symbols better than most.

The Economist

Shirley embraced the duality of her role.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "duality of meaning" to describe situations or symbols that have two contrasting or complementary interpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "dual meaning" as it's less precise. "Duality of meaning" emphasizes the inherent presence of two meanings within the subject, rather than simply stating that it has two meanings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "duality of meaning" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It serves to identify or describe a characteristic of something, emphasizing the existence of two distinct interpretations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "duality of meaning" is a grammatically sound and usable English expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It describes instances where a word, phrase, or concept has two distinct interpretations. Although relatively rare, it appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When writing, it's best to avoid confusing it with similar but less precise terms like "dual meaning". Consider alternatives like "double meaning" or "multiple interpretations" based on the intended nuance. This phrase serves an analytical purpose, revealing the complexity inherent in subjects by shedding light on two significances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

double meaning

Focuses on the existence of two distinct meanings.

twofold interpretation

Highlights that the meaning can be understood in two distinct ways.

dual significance

Emphasizes that there are two important aspects of the meaning.

ambiguity

Highlights the uncertainty or vagueness in meaning.

split meaning

Highlights that there are two separate meanings for a single word, phrase or concept.

multiple interpretations

Emphasizes the possibility of various understandings.

layers of meaning

Suggests complexity and depth in interpretation.

multiplicity of meaning

Emphasizes that meaning is plural and has several facets.

polysemy

A more technical term for a word having multiple related meanings.

double entendre

A phrase or word having a double meaning, especially when one is sexually suggestive.

FAQs

How can I use "duality of meaning" in a sentence?

You can use "duality of meaning" to describe concepts or phrases that have more than one interpretation. For example: "The poem's richness lies in its "duality of meaning", allowing readers to interpret it in various ways." Alternatives could include "double meaning" or "twofold interpretation".

What is the difference between "duality of meaning" and ambiguity?

"Duality of meaning" refers to the existence of two distinct meanings, whereas "ambiguity" suggests uncertainty or vagueness, where the intended meaning is unclear. The former implies two specific interpretations, while the latter implies a lack of clarity.

What are some alternatives to "duality of meaning"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "double meaning", "multiple interpretations", or "twofold interpretation". Consider the specific nuance you want to convey when choosing a substitute.

Is "duality of meaning" formal or informal language?

"Duality of meaning" is generally considered neutral to formal. While understandable in most contexts, it is best suited for analytical writing, academic discussions, or situations where precise language is important. For informal settings, "double meaning" might be more suitable.