THE USE OF POLYSEMY IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK LANGUAGES

This article investigates the phenomenon of polysemy in English and Uzbek, focusing on its lexical-semantic characteristics, functional significance, and role in communication. Polysemy is one of the fundamental phenomena of lexical semantics, referring to the ability of a single word to express several related meanings depending on the context in which it is used. The study compares polysemous words in English and Uzbek and identifies similarities and differences in their semantic structures. Particular attention is paid to metaphorical and metonymic meaning development, contextual interpretation, and the influence of cultural factors. The article also discusses the importance of understanding polysemy in foreign language learning, translation, and vocabulary development. The findings demonstrate that polysemy enriches both languages and contributes to their flexibility, expressiveness, and communicative effectiveness.