What field of study focuses on the meaning of words?

The correct answer, which is semantics, focuses on the meaning of words and how they combine to create meanings in language. Semantics delves into various aspects of meaning, including the relationships between different words, the nuances of meaning in different contexts, and how meaning is interpreted by speakers and listeners. This field seeks to understand not just the literal meanings of words but also how context, connotation, and cultural factors influence understanding.

In contrast, phonology is the study of the sound systems of languages and how sounds function within a particular language or dialect. Pragmatics examines how context affects language use and meaning, including how people interpret language in social settings. Sociolinguistics looks at how language varies and changes in social contexts, considering factors like region, class, and social interactions. While these fields interact and influence one another, semantics is specifically dedicated to the study of meaning.