Vocabulary Strategy: Multiple Meaning Words

Multiple meaning words are words that are spelled the same but have different meanings.  One meaning may be for one part of speech, such as a noun, and another meaning may be a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. When you see a multiple-meaning word in a sentence, you can often figure out the correct meaning from the context, or the words and sentences around the word.  You can check a dictionary or thesaurus to see all the meanings of a multiple-meaning word and decide which one makes sense.  What are multiple meaning words?

Bark can be a verb that means "to give a sharp cry" or a noun that means "the outer coating of a tree". I can say When I get home, my dog will bark loudly with excitement. The words "my dog" and "loudly" are clues in the sentence that let me know what bark means in this case. I can say the bark on the tree is rough and patchy. the words "tree" and "rough" and "patchy" in the sentence that let me know what bark means in this case. What does it mean when a dog barks?

What is the meaning of nail in this sentence? Erin keeps one nail on her hand longer than the others.

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I deposited my paycheck at the bank.

What is the meaning of the word bank as it is used in the sentence?

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Crane

My friend likes to fold paper cranes.

What is the correct meaning of cranes as it is used in this sentence?

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Fine

My grandmother brought out the fine china for our guests.

What is the correct meaning of the word fine as it is used in this sentence?

• of high quality

• small or delicate

• a sum of money owed

Match

The soccer match was cancelled due to rain.

What is the meaning of the word match as it is used in this sentence?

• something that resembles or corresponds with another

• a game or contest

• a thin piece of wood used to light a fire

Rock

You can rock the cradle to help the baby fall asleep.

What is the meaning of the word rock as it is used in this sentence?

• a solid material that forms the surface of Earth

• a genre of music

• to sway back and forth

When I was taking the trash out at night, I saw a bat fly in the air.

• animal

• wooden stick

• tool

• garbage

The grocery bag was light because it was packed with bread and hotdog buns.

• lamp

• not heavy

• sunshine

• bright