English for today Class Eight, Unite 4, Lesson 6 : Meanings of words

Unit Four

Check your reference

Lesson 6: Meanings of words

A. Look at the questions below and read the following text. Now discuss in pairs.

1. What do you do when you want to know the meaning of a word?

2. How can a dictionary help us?

 A dictionary gives us the meaning/meanings of a word. Example sentences are given to show how the words are used. They also help to make the meaning clear. A word may have more than one meaning.

The word 'dry' (adj) has a number of meanings. Three of them are given here.

(i) not wet, not damp, not sticky: The river becomes dry during the summer.

(ii) with very little rain: I hope the weather remains dry during our picnic.

(iii) not interesting: His speech was quite dry.

Sometimes the synonyms and antonyms given with words help to understand the meanings of words.

B. Find at least two meanings for each of the following words from the dictionary page in Lesson 3. Do the activities in pairs, using a dictionary.

fit   fitness   fitter   fitting fitted

Now make your own example sentences showing their meanings.