Choosing the Right Dictionary Meaning

Pick the definition that fits the sentence when a word has several meanings.

Many words have more than one meaning, and a dictionary lists them with numbers. Your job is to choose the one that fits your sentence. Here is a sample entry for 'pitch': 1. to throw a ball to a batter. 2. to set up, as in a tent. 3. how high or low a sound is. Now read: 'The singer's voice had a very high pitch. ' Try each meaning in the sentence. Throwing a ball does not fit.

Setting up a tent does not fit. How high or low a sound is fits perfectly, so meaning 3 is correct. The method is: read the sentence, read every numbered meaning, and test each one until you find the match.

• 1Words often have several numbered meanings.
• 2Test each meaning in your sentence.
• 3Pick the one that makes sense in context.