Which definition matches the sentence?

Key Notes:–

What does this mean?

Sometimes a word has more than one meaning. To understand which meaning fits a sentence, you must:

• Read the sentence carefully.
• Think about the context (what’s happening in the sentence).
• Choose the definition that makes sense in that situation.

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Example Word with Multiple Meanings

Word: Light

• Definition 1: Not heavy (The box is light.)
• Definition 2: Something that makes things visible (The light is very bright.)

Sentence: “I carry a light bag to school.”

• Here, “light” means not heavy (Definition 1).

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Steps to Match the Right Definition

• Identify the word in the sentence.
• Check all possible meanings from a dictionary or glossary.
• Compare each meaning to the sentence’s context.
• Select the definition that makes the most sense.

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Common Words with Multiple Meanings

Word	Definition 1	Definition 2
Bark	Sound a dog makes	Outer covering of a tree
Bat	Flying animal	Stick used in sports like cricket/baseball
Spring	A season	A coil that bounces
Nail	A thin pointed metal pin	The hard covering on the tips of fingers
Watch	To look at something	A small clock worn on the wrist

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Worksheet: Match the Right Definition

Directions: For each sentence, choose the correct meaning of the underlined word.

1. The bat flew out of the cave.
   a) A wooden stick used in sports
   b) A flying animal
2. Please watch the baby while I cook.
   a) To look after something
   b) A small clock worn on the wrist
3. The tree’s bark is rough.
   a) Outer covering of a tree
   b) Sound a dog makes
4. I need to nail this picture to the wall.
   a) A thin pointed metal pin
   b) The hard covering on the tips of fingers
5. Flowers bloom in the spring.
   a) A coil that bounces
   b) A season

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Answer Key

1. b – A flying animal
2. a – To look after something
3. a – Outer covering of a tree
4. a – A thin pointed metal pin
5. b – A season

Tips for Success

• Practice Regularly: The more you practice, the better you’ll become at recognizing context clues.
• Read Widely: Reading different types of texts will expose you to a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures.
• Don’t Give Up: Some words are tricky, but with persistence, you can master this skill!

Summary

In this lesson, we’ve learned how to use context clues to figure out which definition of a word best fits a sentence. We discussed why this skill is important for understanding what you read, improving your vocabulary, and becoming a better writer. Remember to read carefully, look for clues, and think about how the word fits into the overall meaning of the sentence. Happy reading!

Let’s practice!🖊️