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Verbal Reasoning · Guide 13 of 15

Words with two meanings

Some words lead a double life: 'bark' is the sound a dog makes and the outside of a tree. Find the one word that fits both pairs.

  • Ages 9 to 11
  • 11+ Verbal Reasoning
  • Worked examples

What is it?

In a double meaning question you are given two pairs of words in brackets. You choose the one word from the answer options that goes equally well with both pairs.

The answer is a word with two different meanings. One meaning links it to the first pair, and the other meaning links it to the second pair. It can even be a different word class each time: 'charge' is an action (to rush at something) and a thing (the price you pay).

A typical question

Which word goes equally well with both pairs of words? (rush, attack) (price, fee)
charge   cost   run   hurry

How to spot it

  • Two pairs of words in brackets, then a list of options.
  • The instructions say 'goes equally well with both pairs' or 'fits both groups'.
  • The two pairs seem to have nothing to do with each other: that's the clue the answer has two meanings.

Step-by-step method

  1. Step 1: Say what each pair has in common in a few words: (rush, attack) are ways to move at something; (price, fee) are money you pay.
  2. Step 2: Take the options one at a time. Does the word fit the first pair? Does it also fit the second pair?
  3. Step 3: Cross out any option that only fits one pair: these are the traps.
  4. Step 4: Put the answer into two short sentences, one for each meaning, to check it: 'The bull will charge.' 'There is no charge for entry.'
  5. Step 5: If no option seems to fit, think about each word's less common meanings.

Worked examples

Example 1: an action and a thing

Question: Which word goes equally well with both pairs? (rush, attack) (price, fee): charge, cost, run, hurry
  1. Step 1: 'Run' and 'hurry' fit the first pair but not the second. 'Cost' fits the second pair but not the first.
  2. Step 2: 'Charge' can mean to rush at something ('the knights charge') and the money you pay ('a small charge').

Answer: charge

Example 2: two different topics

Question: Which word goes equally well with both pairs? (woof, growl) (trunk, branch): bark, howl, leaf, root
  1. Step 1: The first pair are noises a dog makes. The second pair are parts of a tree.
  2. Step 2: 'Howl' only fits the dog pair. 'Leaf' and 'root' only fit the tree pair.
  3. Step 3: 'Bark' is a dog's noise and the rough outside of a tree trunk.

Answer: bark

Example 3: a describing word with two meanings

Question: Which word goes equally well with both pairs? (light, pale) (reasonable, just): fair, dim, kind, bright
  1. Step 1: The first pair describe a colour that isn't dark: 'fair hair'. 'Bright' fits light, but not pale.
  2. Step 2: The second pair describe something that treats everyone the same: 'a fair game'. 'Kind' is close, but it doesn't fit the first pair.

Answer: fair

Common traps

  • Picking a word that fits one pair perfectly

    'Cost' is a great match for (price, fee), but it has nothing to do with (rush, attack). The answer must fit both.

  • Forgetting a word can change job

    Many answers are a noun in one pair and a verb in the other: 'a park' and 'to park', 'a ring' and 'to ring'.

  • Words that sound the same but are spelled differently

    'Bear' and 'bare' sound the same, but they're different words. The answer must be one spelling with two meanings.

  • Choosing a word that's just linked

    'Leaf' is linked to trees, but it isn't a dog's noise. Linked isn't enough: it must mean the same as each pair.

Top tips

  • Collect words with two meanings in a notebook: bat, bark, bear, fair, file, ring, rash, sole, spring, match, light, watch.
  • Read the answer in two sentences of your own, one for each pair.
  • Jokes and riddles often use double meanings: they're a fun way to practise.

Practice questions

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