Learn the Meanings of Words: KS3 English Definitions Quiz

English Quiz - Definitions 01 (Questions)

Words often have several meanings. Use context to choose the correct sense and avoid confusion in reading and writing.

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Fascinating Fact:

Many words have more than one sense, bank can mean a river bank or a money bank, context chooses the right one.

In KS3 English, you’ll study how context selects a word’s meaning. Dictionaries list several senses for many words, so you’ll learn to use clues in the sentence and paragraph to decide which fits.

Key Terms

Context: The words and ideas around a term that help you work out its intended meaning.
Polysemy: When a single word has multiple related meanings, like head of a school or head of a queue.
Dictionary entry: A list of a word’s definitions (senses), pronunciation and examples to guide correct use.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

How do I choose the right meaning of a word in a sentence?

Read the whole sentence and nearby lines, then match the sense that makes logical, grammatical and factual sense. Check examples in a dictionary to confirm.

What is the difference between homonyms, homographs and homophones?

Homonyms share the same spelling and sound but different meanings; homographs share spelling; homophones share sound. Context and spelling help you tell them apart.

Why do dictionaries list several definitions for one word?

Many words are polysemous. Dictionaries organise common senses with examples so readers can select the meaning that fits the context.

Try These Related Quizzes

Find the definition of the following word.
Biennial

[ ]	Constantly happening
[ ]	Every two years
[ ]	Never occurring
[ ]	Twice each year

Find the definition of the following word.
Edifice

[ ]	Building
[ ]	Cake
[ ]	Decoration
[ ]	Delight

Find the definition of the following word.
Audacious

[ ]	Brave
[ ]	Fearful
[ ]	Frightened
[ ]	Timid

Find the definition of the following word.
Irrefragable

[ ]	Answer for
[ ]	Answer to
[ ]	Answered
[ ]	Unanswerable

Find the definition of the following word.
Roster

[ ]	Chicken
[ ]	Cockerel
[ ]	Hen
[ ]	List

Find the definition of the following word.
Auspicious

[ ]	Favourable
[ ]	Lowly
[ ]	Poor
[ ]	Threatening

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Rigorous

[ ]	Lax
[ ]	Loose
[ ]	Relaxed
[ ]	Strict

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Wherry

[ ]	Ferry
[ ]	Rowing boat
[ ]	Steamer
[ ]	Yacht

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Xylem

[ ]	Percussion instrument
[ ]	Plant tissue
[ ]	Twigs
[ ]	Wooden instrument

10.

Find the definition of the following word.
Collegiate

[ ]	Belonging to a college
[ ]	Connect
[ ]	Destroy
[ ]	Disconnect

English Quiz - Definitions 01 (Answers)

Find the definition of the following word.
Biennial

[ ]	Constantly happening
[x]	Every two years
[ ]	Never occurring
[ ]	Twice each year

The biennial festival took place in 2010, 2012, 2014, etc.

Find the definition of the following word.
Edifice

[x]	Building
[ ]	Cake
[ ]	Decoration
[ ]	Delight

The new town hall was a huge marble edifice

Find the definition of the following word.
Audacious

[x]	Brave
[ ]	Fearful
[ ]	Frightened
[ ]	Timid

The audacious tailor swatted seven flies at once!

Find the definition of the following word.
Irrefragable

[ ]	Answer for
[ ]	Answer to
[ ]	Answered
[x]	Unanswerable

The prefix irr- is negative and means "not" or "un-"

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Roster

[ ]	Chicken
[ ]	Cockerel
[ ]	Hen
[x]	List

A "roster" is a list. A "rooster" is a cockerel!

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Auspicious

[x]	Favourable
[ ]	Lowly
[ ]	Poor
[ ]	Threatening

Auspicious weather meant that the regatta could begin

Find the definition of the following word.
Rigorous

[ ]	Lax
[ ]	Loose
[ ]	Relaxed
[x]	Strict

"Rigour" is a noun; "rigorous" is an adjective; "rigorously" is an adverb

Find the definition of the following word.
Wherry

[ ]	Ferry
[x]	Rowing boat
[ ]	Steamer
[ ]	Yacht

"Wherry" rhymes with "ferry" but is a "rowing boat"