* Surrounding words: The words that come before and after the word in question can significantly alter its meaning. For example, "run" can mean different things in "run fast" vs. "run a business".
* Sentence structure: The grammatical structure of the sentence can also affect meaning. For example, "The dog chased the cat" has a different meaning than "The cat chased the dog".
* Punctuation: Punctuation can influence the meaning of a sentence and, therefore, the meaning of individual words.
* Speaker or writer's intent: The speaker or writer's intended message can also influence the meaning of words. For example, a sarcastic tone can change the meaning of a word completely.
In summary, the meaning of a word is not determined solely by its definition. It's the interaction of the word with its context that shapes its meaning.