Multiple Meaning Words
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Basics on the topic Multiple Meaning Words
Do you often come across words that are written or sound the same, but have several different meanings? Learn about multiple meaning words through an interactive video and activities.
Multiple Meaning Words – Introduction
Many words in English have more than one meaning. Some words have multiple meanings depending on how we use them in a sentence or what part of speech we use it as. These words are called multiple meaning words.
Two types of multiple meaning words are homonyms and homographs.
Homonyms are words that have the same spelling and sound alike, but have different meanings. For example, bat can mean both a nocturnal animal and a piece of sports equipment.
Homographs are words that are spelt the same but are pronounced differently. For example, record can be used as a noun describing the top achievement (stress on the first syllable), or as a verb meaning the action of recording music in the studio (stress on the second syllable).
We can come across multiple meaning words every time we read texts.
Multiple Meaning Words – Examples
Let’s have a look at several multiple meaning words in sentences and try to determine their meaning. It is important to read sentences carefully to avoid misinterpreting homonyms or homographs.
My mum works at the bank on the river bank.
The word bank is a homonym, and it is used in this sentence twice. We know that it can refer to either a financial institution or a piece of land alongside the river or lake. To determine the meaning of the word bank in this sentence, we use context clues. The context clue for the first word bank is works at, so the meaning of this word is a financial institution. The context clue for the second word bank is river, so we know that the bank is located at the river bank.
Take a look at another example:
I want to write a letter to my teacher, but I am not sure how to address him properly.
The word address is a homograph. It is used as a verb, describing the action of writing appropriately, which means we put the stress on the second syllable.
Multiple Meaning Words – List
If you are often wondering, what are some multiple-meaning words? or what are 10 multiple-meaning words?, you can consult our list of common multiple meaning words in English.
| Homonyms | Homographs |
|---|---|
| bank bat bear can draft fly miss pack ship skip train watch |
address bass bow content lead object present produce read record tear wind |
You can use this list to create a multiple meaning words poster or anchor chart.
Multiple Meaning Words – Summary
There are many words in English that have multiple meanings depending on how we use them in a sentence. Homonyms are words that are spelt and pronounced in the same way, but have different meanings. Homographs are words that are spelt the same but are pronounced differently. Using context clues is the best strategy to determine the meaning of multiple meaning words.
Now you know how to recognise words with multiple meanings. If you want more practice, check out our multiple meaning words video for kids. You can also check out our exercises that include multiple meaning words with pictures.
Frequently Asked Questions about Multiple Meaning Words
Multiple Meaning Words exercise
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What are homonyms?
HintsShip is a homonym. It can be a verb.
Ship is a homonym. It can also be a noun.
We can see from the previous hints that homonyms have the same spelling. Homonyms also sound alike.
SolutionHomonyms are words that have the same spelling and sound alike.
For example, ship can be a verb and a noun.
- Verb: to ship something means to send or post something.
- Noun: a ship is a large water vessel.
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Identify if the word is a homonym or homograph.
Hints- The wind was very strong that day.
- Wind is a homograph.
- It is time to wind the clock back.
- Wind is a homograph.
Wind is a homograph because although the two words above are spelt the same, they are pronounced differently.
SolutionHomonyms
- The bat slept upside down in the cave.
- The children were playing cricket and it was Ben's turn to bat.
- The magician took a bow to the audience after performing their final trick.
- The present had a big, colourful bow on the top.
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Match the correct homonym to each statement.
HintsKoko loves to watch the clouds in the sky.
In this sentence, watch is being used as verb.Watch can also be used as a noun.
Which sentence uses watch as a noun?SolutionMultiple meaning words can be used as nouns or verbs in sentences.
Watch
- Noun: Check your watch for the time.
- Verb: Koko loves to watch the clouds in the sky.
Fly
- Noun: The fly buzzed around the room.
- Verb: Pip was so excited to fly his kite.
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Is the homonym a verb or a noun?
HintsA verb is an action word.
A noun is a person, place or thing.
SolutionVerbs
- Jamie made sure to pack a warm coat for the ski trip.
- The tree was struggling to bear the weight of all of the heavy snow.
- Max ran into the shop quickly to buy a pack of biscuits.
- I saw a black bear while hiking today!
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Identify the homograph and the homonym.
HintsRemember what you have learnt about homonyms and homographs.
A ring can be something you wear.
It can also be a verb e.g. to ring someone on the phone.Do these words look and sound the same?
In this picture, the family is sitting close together.
Another way to use this word is: "Please close the front door when you leave the house."These words look the same, but do they sound the same?
Solution- ring = homonym
- close = homograph
Homonyms are words that have the same spelling and sound alike.
The ring has a diamond on it.
Ring is a homonym. It can be used in different ways with the same spelling and sound. It is a noun in the sentence above but it can also be a verb e.g. I can ring my friend on the phone.
Homographs are words that have the same spelling but sound different.
They are close and travel together.
Close is a homograph. It can be used in different ways with the same spelling but different sound. One way is seen above but if we say to close the door, the pronunciation is slightly different.
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What is the meaning of the bold word in the sentence?
Hints- Use context clues.
- Which word gives the context for the definition of ring?
Look carefully at the last two sentences and decide which is a fair that would have rides.
Solution- The circus ring was in the centre of the arena. The correct answer is a: the space in the centre of the circus where people perform.
- Please close the door so the mosquitos don't fly inside. The correct answer is b: to shut so it is not open.
- The children were excited to go to the fair. The correct answer is a: a fun gathering for people with rides and games.
- The class agreed that pizza was a fair prize to whoever won the competition. The correct answer is b: an outcome that is considered just for all sides.
