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Words with Multiple Meanings Illustration | Actors

What word for 'actors' also means 'hurl'?

Words with Multiple Meanings 4

Many English words have more than one meaning. This 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning quiz challenges pupils to decide which meaning fits best in each sentence.

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Fascinating Fact:

The word key can mean a small metal object that opens a lock or something important to solving a problem.

In 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning, pupils must learn to distinguish between the different uses of words. This strengthens comprehension, reasoning skills, and improves confidence in reading tests.

Key Terms

Homonym: A word that shares spelling or sound with another but has a different meaning.
Context: The words or sentences around a word that help explain its meaning.
Ambiguity: When language is open to more than one interpretation.

For more support, see our 11 Plus sample questions guide to understand how these challenges appear in exams.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What are homonyms in English?

Homonyms are words that look or sound the same but have different meanings, such as “bat” for the animal and “bat” used in cricket.

How do you know which meaning of a word is correct?

The correct meaning is decided by the context of the sentence. Reading the surrounding words helps to identify which definition is intended.

Why do 11 Plus exams test words with multiple meanings?

They are included to check a pupil’s ability to think critically, use reasoning, and apply language skills in different contexts.

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?
(STOOP, BEND) __________ (DIP, DUNK)

BOB

DOUSE

IMMERSE

DUCK

If you ‘duck’ to avoid something, you bend or stoop. To ‘duck’ under a liquid is to dip or dunk. The answer is ‘duck’.

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?
(WORKFORCE, TEAM) __________ (ROD, CANE)

EMPLOYEES

POLE

BATON

STAFF

A workforce or a team of colleagues is known as the ‘staff’. A ‘staff’ is a long stick, similar to a walking stick, a rod or a cane

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?
(QUARREL, ARGUE) __________ (LINE, QUEUE)

ROW

DISPUTE

STRIPE

COLUMN

To quarrel or argue is to ‘row’ (rhymes with ‘now’). A line or queue of people is in a ‘row’ (rhymes with ‘sew’). The answer is ‘row’.

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?
(TIE, GAME) __________ (SIMILAR, ALIKE)

MATCH

COMPETITION

BIND

PARTNER

A ‘match’ can also be called a tie or a game (think football). Things that ‘match’ are alike or similar. The answer is ‘match’.

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?
(CLOAK, SHAWL) __________ (PENINSULA, HEADLAND)

ROBE

OUTCROP

CAPE

PROMONTORY

A ‘cape’ is a type of cloak, similar to a shawl. A headland or peninsular is an outcrop of land also known as a ‘cape’. The answer is ‘cape’.

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?
(NOISE, RACKET) __________ (RELIABLE, STURDY)

BAT

SOLID

SOUND

TRUSTWORTHY

A noise or racket is a ‘sound’. If something is reliable or sturdy, you might describe it as ‘sound’. The answer is ‘sound’.

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?
(ACTORS, TROUPE) __________ (HURL, THROW)

PERFORMERS

FLING

CAST

TOSS

A troupe of actors might also be called a ‘cast’. To ‘cast’ something is to hurl or throw it. The answer is ‘cast’.

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?
(MAIN, CHIEF) __________ (GUIDE, ESCORT)

PRIMARY

LEAD

TEACH

SCOUT

The main or chief person is the ‘lead’ (think of the ‘lead’ role in a film). To guide or escort something is to ‘lead’ it. The answer is ‘lead’.

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?
(MEDIA, NEWSPAPERS) __________ (SMOOTH, FLATTEN)

JOURNALISTS

PRESS

SILKY

SQUASH

The media (specifically the newspapers) are also called the ‘press’. To smooth and flatten something (usually by ironing it) is to ‘press’ it. The answer is ‘press’.

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?
(JOURNEY, OUTING) __________ (STUMBLE, SLIP)

TRAVEL

FALL

TUMBLE

TRIP

To go on a journey or an outing is to take a ‘trip’. To ‘trip’ is to stumble or slip. The answer is ‘trip’.

Author: Stephen O'Hara and Ian Miles