Which definition matches the sentence?
key notes:
Some words have more than one meaning.
- The light hurts my eyes.
- Feathers are very light.
Sometimes the different meanings even sound different.
- The actors leaned over and took a bow.
- In this sentence, bow rhymes with how.
- The girl tied a bow in her hair.
- In this sentence, bow rhymes with low.
Words with more than one meaning are called multiple-meaning words or homographs.
Learn with an example
😀 What does dress mean in this sentence?
I’ll wear a dress to the dance on Friday, Madison said.
A} dress verb to put clothes on
B} dress noun a kind of clothing
The word dress has more than one meaning.
The question gives this sentence:
- I’ll wear a dress to the dance on Friday, Madison said.
- Here, dress means a kind of clothing.
The second answer choice gives the correct meaning.
😀 What does fire mean in this sentence?
If that man doesn’t come to work on time, we’ll have to fire him.
A} fire verb to make someone leave a job
B} fire noun the light, heat and flames made by
something burning
The word fire has more than one meaning.
The question gives this sentence:
- If that man doesn’t come to work on time, we’ll have to fire him.
- Here, fire means to make someone leave a job.
The first answer choice gives the correct meaning.
😀 What does sign mean in this sentence?
- The artist will sign the painting in black ink.
- sign noun a board with words or pictures that tell you what to do
- sign verb to write your name
The word sign has more than one meaning.
The question gives this sentence:
The artist will sign the painting in black ink.
Here, sign means to write your name.
The second answer choice gives the correct meaning.
Let’s practice!
