Here are examples of familiar English words with unexpected or lesser-known meanings, along with illustrative sentences:  

### Examples of Familiar Words with Uncommon Meanings  

1. **Table** (verb)  

   *Common meaning:* A piece of furniture.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* To postpone discussion.  

   > "The committee decided to *table* the motion until next month."  

2. **Novel** (adjective)  

   *Common meaning:* A book-length story.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* New or unusual.  

   > "Scientists discovered a *novel* approach to recycling plastic."  

3. **Mine** (noun)  

   *Common meaning:* Excavation site for minerals.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* Explosive device.  

   > "Soldiers cleared the area of land *mines* after the war."  

4. **Sentence** (verb)  

   *Common meaning:* Grammatical unit.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* To assign punishment.  

   > "The judge will *sentence* the defendant tomorrow."  

5. **Fluke** (noun)  

   *Common meaning:* Lucky accident.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* Flatfish, or a whale’s tail fin.  

   > "Marine biologists studied the *fluke* of the humpback whale."  

6. **Pupil** (noun)  

   *Common meaning:* Student.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* The dark center of an eye.  

   > "Bright light causes the *pupil* to contract."  

7. **Bolt** (verb)  

   *Common meaning:* Fastener or lightning strike.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* To flee suddenly.  

   > "The horse *bolted* when it heard thunder."  

8. **Strike** (noun)  

   *Common meaning:* Hit or work stoppage.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* Discovery of oil/gold.  

   > "The prospectors celebrated a major gold *strike* in Alaska."  

9. **Tender** (adjective)  

   *Common meaning:* Gentle or sore.  

   *Uncommon meaning:* Offering payment (legal/financial).  

   > "Payment must be made by legal *tender*."  

10. **Brook** (verb)  

    *Common meaning:* Small stream.  

    *Uncommon meaning:* Tolerate (often negative).  

    > "She will *brook* no interference with her plans."  

ground(adj.)

*Common meaning:* The solid surface of the earth

*Uncommon meaning:* The past tense of  "grind", to be reduced to small bits or be crushed to a fine powder

> "The coffee beans are ground in the coffee machine."

*Common meaning:* something can flow, like water, juice, etc.

*Uncommon meaning:* 1. the pure, clear and beautiful sound 

> "liquid song of birds"

2. clear like water

>"liquid eyes"

Common meaning: particular way in which sth is done or particular way of design

Uncommon meaning: the quality of being attractive and made or done to a high standard

Example: While his clothes are tidy, they are always wrinkled and display a lack of style.

conclude(verb)

*Common meaning:* To decide by reasoning and come to a conclusion

*Uncommon meaning:* To bring to an end

> "This film concludes with a sad song."

light(adj.)

*Common meaning:* Electromagnetic radiation that is visible, perceivable by the normal human eye as colors between red and violet

*Uncommon meaning:* Of comparatively little phisical weight or density

> "Balsa is a light wood."

force(n.)

*Common meaning:* To compel through pressure or necessity

*Uncommon meaning:* Military strength

> "The general detached a small force to go and guard the palace."

*Common meaning:* The producer of an effect, result, or consequence.

*Uncommon meaning:* The interests of a person or group engaged in a struggle.

> "The new recruit will join our cause."