The ability to flexibly access word meanings according to context is a core feature of semantic processing. Ambiguous words (e.g., note) provide a valuable window into how context shapes lexical access, as they require the selection of one meaning among competing alternatives. This project examines the neural dynamics of accessing dominant versus subordinate meanings of ambiguous words. Participants will first read short passages establishing a semantic context (e.g., music), followed by ambiguous words that are either congruent or not with the preceding context. Electroencephalography (EEG) will be recorded and analyzed, focusing on theta (4–8 Hz, associated with memory-related plasticity) and alpha activity (8–12 Hz, linked to inhibition). Representational Similarity Analysis (RSA) will be applied to frequency-domain neural patterns to compare contextually matched and mismatched conditions, testing whether congruent words produce more homogeneous similarity structures. In parallel, pupillometry will provide a continuous index of cognitive effort, as pupil dilation reflects the attentional and control demands required to resolve ambiguity. The study will test whether accessing subordinate meanings requires greater cognitive effort than dominant meanings, and if supportive context facilitates semantic processing. This multimodal approach aims to dissect the representational basis of meaning and the control processes that enable context-driven resolution of lexical ambiguity.