Most words have multiple meanings, or definitions. Sometimes those meanings are similar, but most of the time, the multiple meanings of a word are very different from each other.
Some words have different meanings for the different functions, or parts of speech: verb, noun, adverb, or adjective. Some words refer to several different nouns, verbs, etc, which is why it is important to be careful when looking up vocabulary words in the dictionary.
I’ve gathered a short list of words that most students are familiar with as examples of common words with multiple meanings. I labeled each meaning with the part of speech the word functions as.
Base
Noun:
-
particular place of work or action (This is our base of operations)
-
lowest point, edge of something (People began to gather at the base of the structure long before anyone decided to climb it)
-
root or stem of a word (the base form of the word broken is break)
-
the objects that designate the path a batter must run after hitting the ball (first, second, and third base)
Verb:
-
foundation (My decision is based on the fact that it’s raining outside!)
-
center of an action
Pitch
Noun:
-
of a tone or note (She has a hard time singing at such a high pitch!)
-
steepness of a roof
-
level of intensity (fever pitch)
-
delivery of a ball (That was a lousy pitch.)
-
the spiel, or mini-speech used when trying to persuade someone to do something (Don’t give me that old sales pitch again!)
Verb:
-
to throw or fling something—literally or figuratively, roughly or casually (to pitch a ball, tent, fit)
-
fall heavily (She pitched forward down the hill!)
Plot
Noun:
-
secret plan (The terrorist plot was thwarted.)
-
main events (as devised and organized by the author) of a play or piece of writing (
-
small piece of land set aside for something (That plot of land over there is a community garden.)
-
a graph
Verb:
-
to make secret plans (I caught them plotting against the superintendent!)
-
to devise sequencing of events (We began to plot out a timeline for the events.)
-
to mark on chart (I plotted the data on this graph.)
Present
Adjective:
-
in attendance (At the present moment, I don’t have the resources.)
-
existing or occurring now (present tense)
Noun:
-
the present (here and now, this moment)
-
a gift (Herman likes to open his birthday presents after the guests leave.)
Verb:
-
to give (to present something to someone: She presented the first place winner with a trophy.)
-
to show (I presented my badge to the doorman, but he was not impressed.)
-
to give a presentation (Gabby presented her findings to the board of trustees.)
Tense
Noun:
-
distinction in verb form to express time and duration (verb tense)
Adjective:
-
stretched tight, rigid, (muscles)
-
unable to relax, showing nervous tension (Why do you look so tense?)
-
marked by strain or suspense
Verb:
-
to make rigid or tight
-
to tighten
Value
Noun:
-
worth or denomination of something (like a coin)
-
worth compared to price (Don’t throw out that teddy bear! It has sentimental value.)
-
principles/beliefs/standards (family values, personal values)
-
a magnitude/quantity/number (for example, a math question might ask “what is the value of X?”)
Adjective:
-
considered to be important (He is a valued costumer!)
Verb:
-
to cherish or respect (I value our time together. I value your opinion.)
-
to estimate/assign monetary value (Her estate is valued at…)
Source: Definitions from Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
