Which term describes words that have several meanings depending upon how they are used in a sentence?

Which term describes words that have several meanings depending upon how they are used in a sentence?

• A. Context clues
• B. Multiple meaning words
• C. Base or root words
• D. Idioms

Answer: (B)

Words that have more than one meaning depending on how they’re used are called multiple meaning words. This concept tests your ability to recognize that a single word can carry different senses, and the intended meaning comes from the surrounding context. For example, bank can mean the place to keep money or the side of a river, and the sentence makes clear which meaning is meant. Context clues help you figure out that meaning, but they’re the hints you use, not the name for the type of words themselves. Base or root words refer to word parts, and idioms are phrases whose overall meaning isn’t literal. So the term that best describes words with several meanings is multiple meaning words.

Words that have more than one meaning depending on how they’re used are called multiple meaning words. This concept tests your ability to recognize that a single word can carry different senses, and the intended meaning comes from the surrounding context. For example, bank can mean the place to keep money or the side of a river, and the sentence makes clear which meaning is meant. Context clues help you figure out that meaning, but they’re the hints you use, not the name for the type of words themselves. Base or root words refer to word parts, and idioms are phrases whose overall meaning isn’t literal. So the term that best describes words with several meanings is multiple meaning words.