a red circle and a box, a piece of jewelry and the sound a bell makes, a small car and a river

a piece of jewelry and the sound a bell makes

a place for money and the side of a river, a place to sleep and a school, a bench and a store

a place for money and the side of a river

only the sun, not heavy and something that shines, a heavy object and a book

not heavy and something that shines

the sound a dog makes and the outside of a tree, a type of hat and a fruit, a chair and a small house

the sound a dog makes and the outside of a tree

a tool and a bed, a season and to jump or move quickly, a kind of fruit and a color

a season and to jump or move quickly

to cook and a cookie, a type of animal and a map, to look at and a small clock you wear

to look at and a small clock you wear

a spread for bread and a traffic jam, a loud sound and a small house, a cup and a plate

a spread for bread and a traffic jam

a color and a type of plant, a small stick to make fire and a game where teams play each other, a cup and a phone

a small stick to make fire and a game where teams play each other

a small bread you eat and to move by turning over, a bright light and a picture, a bag and a pencil

a small bread you eat and to move by turning over

a kind of tree and a color, a fast car and a book, to say hello with your hand and a moving swell of water

to say hello with your hand and a moving swell of water

a type of shoe and a toy, a place with trees and grass and to stop a car there, a breakfast food and a number

a place with trees and grass and to stop a car there

a hard stone and to move back and forth, a kind of cookie and a bird, a shirt and a shoe

a hard stone and to move back and forth

to cut and a hat, a number and a shoe, to fasten and a piece of clothing worn at the neck

to fasten and a piece of clothing worn at the neck

Second Grade ELA Vocabulary - Multiple-Meaning Words

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What are multiple-meaning words?

Multiple-meaning words are words that have more than one meaning. The meaning changes depending on how the word is used in a sentence.

Examples:

“I can watch TV.” (to look at)
“I wear a watch on my wrist.” (a clock you wear)

Helpful hint

When you see a word you know, always check: Does it make sense here? The sentence gives you clues.

Why are multiple-meaning words important?

These words help us grow our vocabulary and understand reading better. Knowing both meanings helps us read with accuracy and write with clarity.

Example Sentences:

“He will park the car.” (to leave a car in a spot)
“We had a picnic at the park.” (a place outdoors)

Helpful hint

Always think: Which meaning matches the sentence? Look at the words around it for clues.

Common multiple-meaning words

Here are some common words with more than one meaning. You will see these often in reading and writing:

Word List:

bat (an animal / a baseball stick)
ring (a piece of jewelry / the sound a bell makes)
bank (a place for money / the side of a river)
light (not heavy / something that shines)

Helpful hint

Keep a list of tricky words you see often. Practice using each meaning in a sentence.

Using context clues

Context clues are the other words in a sentence that help you figure out which meaning of a word is correct.

Examples:

“She turned on the light because the room was dark.” (something that shines)
“The box is very light so I can carry it.” (not heavy)

Helpful hint

If you don’t know which meaning to choose, reread the sentence and look for clue words that explain it.

Putting it all together

Good readers understand that many words can mean different things. Using context and practice helps you know which meaning fits best.

Examples:

“I saw a bat flying in the night sky. Later, I used a bat to hit the baseball.”
“I went to the bank to save money. Then I walked by the river bank to see the ducks.”

Helpful hint

Remember: Multiple-meaning words make language interesting! Use the sentence to decide which meaning is correct.

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HH.1 Learn and understand multiple-meaning words

What are multiple-meaning words?

Why are multiple-meaning words important?

Common multiple-meaning words

Using context clues

Putting it all together