Semantic Change

BROADENING/GENERALISATION:

  • A word keeps its original meaning but also takes on additional meanings.

NARROWING/SPECIALISATION:

  • The opposite of broadening: a word becomes more specific in its meaning.

AMELIORATION:

  • The meaning of a word becomes more positive or pleasant.

PEJORATION:

  • The meaning of a word becomes more negative or unpleasant.

WEAKENING:

  • Words lose some of their force or strength.

METAPHOR:

  • Words acquiring new meanings because they are frequently used in a metaphoric way.

IDIOMS:

  • Phrases formed from pre-existing words, which usually have an everyday use or meaning and often have interesting origins.

EUPHEMISMS:

  • A valid, inoffensive or more pleasant way of describing something distasteful or unpleasant. (Opposite = dysphemism)