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Words with Multiple Meanings Illustration | Chest

Can you think of a word for 'chest' which also means 'fight'?

Words with Multiple Meanings 3

Some words can mean very different things. These 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning questions test whether pupils can choose the correct meaning by reading carefully.

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Fascinating Fact:

The word nail can mean the hard covering at the end of a finger or toe or a small piece of metal used in construction.

In 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning, pupils practise spotting the right meaning of a word in different contexts. This skill helps improve both comprehension and problem-solving ability.

Key Terms

Polysemy: When a single word has two or more different meanings.
Literal meaning: The most direct or basic sense of a word.
Figurative meaning: A less obvious, imaginative, or symbolic use of a word.

Parents can read our guide to 11 Plus subjects to see how Verbal Reasoning fits into the full exam.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is an example of a polysemous word?

An example is “bark,” which can mean the sound made by a dog or the outer covering of a tree.

Why are multiple meaning words tested in the 11 Plus?

They are tested because they measure a pupil’s ability to interpret sentences and select the correct meaning, which is vital for strong comprehension skills.

How can I practise multiple meaning words?

Pupils can practise by reading stories, looking up words in a dictionary, and completing quizzes that give context-based examples.

Try These Related Quizzes

Example:
Which word can have a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the left AND a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the right?
(NOTICE, SEE) __________ (BLEMISH, MOLE)

Answer:
If we notice or see something, we are said to ‘spot’ it. A blemish or a mole can also be referred to as a ‘spot’. The answer is ‘spot’.

1 .

Which word can have a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the left AND a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the right?
(LENGTHY, EXTENSIVE) __________ (DESIRE, YEARN)

STRETCHED

LONG

WANT

NEED

If something is lengthy or extensive, then it is ‘long’. To desire or yearn for something is to ‘long’ for it. The answer is ‘long’.

2 .

Which word can have a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the left AND a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the right?
(FOLDER, CASE) __________ (RUB, SAND)

FILE

BAG

POLISH

GRIT

A ‘file’ is a type of folder or case. We can smooth something down by rubbing, sanding or ‘filing’ it. The answer is ‘file’.

3 .

Which word can have a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the left AND a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the right?
(BREAK, RELAX) __________ (REMAINDER, RESIDUE)

REST

SLEEP

SMASH

LEFTOVERS

When we take a break or relax, we are having a ‘rest’. The remainder or residue might be called the ‘rest’. The answer is ‘rest’.

4 .

Which word can have a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the left AND a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the right?
(FIGHT, SPAR) __________ (CHEST, CONTAINER)

BATH

CARTON

BOX

TORSO

To ‘box’ is to fight or spar, whilst a ‘box’ is a chest or a container. The answer is ‘box’.

5 .

Which word can have a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the left AND a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the right?
(HUT, CABIN) __________ (MOULT, DISCARD)

BARN

SLOUGH

SHED

DROP

Huts and cabins are ‘sheds’. When a snake moults or discards its skin, it ‘sheds’ it. The answer is ‘shed’.

6 .

Which word can have a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the left AND a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the right?
(WATCH, GUARD) __________ (THOUGHT, INTELLIGENCE)

CLOCK

SECURITY

IDEA

MIND

To ‘mind’ something is to watch over or guard it. Your ‘mind’ is your thoughts and intelligence. The answer is ‘mind’.

7 .

Which word can have a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the left AND a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the right?
(THIN, SLENDER) __________ (TILT, SLANT)

SKINNY

LEAN

SLOPE

SLIM

If someone is thin or slender, you might say they were ’lean’. If something is slanted or tilted, it could also be described as ‘leaning’. The answer is ‘lean’.

8 .

Which word can have a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the left AND a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the right?
(TERM, TIME) __________ (FLAVOUR, SPICE)

SCHOOL

HOUR

TASTE

SEASON

A period of time might be a term or a ‘season’. To ‘season’ your food is to add flavour or spice to it. The answer is ‘season’.

9 .

Which word can have a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the left AND a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the right?
(BAT, TRUNCHEON) __________ (SOCIETY, GROUP)

VAMPIRE

PUBLIC

BAND

CLUB

Bats and truncheons might also be called ‘clubs’. You might join a society or group, otherwise known as a ‘club’. The answer is ‘club’.

10 .

Which word can have a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the left AND a similar meaning to the words in brackets on the right?
(SHOOT, STEM) __________ (HUNT, FOLLOW)

FIRE

TRACK

STALK

UNDERSTAND

A shoot or stem on a plant could also be called a ‘stalk’. If you ‘stalk’ some prey, you hunt or follow it. The answer is ‘stalk’.

Author: Stephen O'Hara and Ian Miles