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Academy11+

11+ English · Topic explained

Words with more than one meaning

Can a bat be an animal and a piece of cricket kit?

The big idea

Some words are spelt the same but have different meanings, so the sentence tells you which one.

Picture it

A word with two meanings is a key that fits two doors: the sentence shows which door.

Key words

homonym
A word with the same spelling and sound as another, but a different meaning: bat, bank, fair.
homograph
Same spelling, but it can sound different: lead (a dog's lead), lead (a metal).
context
The words around a word, which show which meaning is meant.

Worked examples

  1. 1Warm-up

    The bat flew out of the cave. / Pass me the cricket bat.

    • In a cave: an animal.
    • In cricket: what you hit the ball with.
  2. 211+ standard

    Which word fits both? the ___ of a river / money in the ___

    • bank: the side of a river, and a place for money.
  3. 311+ standard

    The referee made a fair decision. / We went on the rides at the fair.

    • fair: just and right (an adjective)
    • fair: a funfair (a noun)
  4. 411+ standard

    The dog pulled on its lead. / The pipes were made of lead.

    • Same spelling, different sounds: "leed" and "led".
    • That makes it a homograph.

The common mistake

The mistake

Use the meaning you know best.

Instead

Read the whole sentence: "The match was a draw" isn't about drawing a picture.

Why: The context decides the meaning.

Where it comes up in the 11+

Verbal reasoning asks for one word that fits two meanings; comprehension asks "What does this word mean here?"

The video

Video coming soon

We're making a short video that explains words with more than one meaning step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.

Free printable

Words with more than one meaning worksheet

Practice questions on this topic to print and try on paper, at home or on the way to school.

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Quick quiz

Have a go first, then tap to see the answer.

  1. 1. Which word means both "a season" and "to jump forward"?

    • autumn
    • spring
    • winter
    • leap
    Show the answer

    spring

    Spring is a season, and to spring is to jump.

  2. 2. In "She will train for the race", train means…

    • a vehicle on rails
    • to practise
    • part of a long dress
    Show the answer

    to practise

    She's getting ready for a race, so train is a verb meaning practise.

  3. 3. Which word fits both? a ___ of paper / a ___ on the bed

    • sheet
    • page
    • pillow
    • cover
    Show the answer

    sheet

    A sheet of paper, and a sheet on the bed.