Synonyms
Words that mean the same or nearly the same, how to test a pair, and quick practice.
The answer
Synonyms are words with the same or nearly the same meaning, such as big and large, or talk and speak.
Examples
The giant was huge; his boots were enormous.
Please shut the door. Please close the door.
Swapping one for the other hardly changes the meaning.
Maya was glad to see her friend, and her friend was happy too.
We will find out the answer. We will discover the answer.
A Year 6 pair: discover is the more formal choice.
How to spot it
- Swap one word for the other in the same sentence. If the meaning hardly changes, they are synonyms.
- Both words must be the same word class: quick and quickly are not synonyms.
- Synonyms are rarely exact. Smile and grin are close, but a grin is bigger.
The common mistake
Choosing a word that goes with it rather than one that means the same.
Bread and butter go together, but they are not synonyms. In a closest-meaning question, test each option by swapping it into a sentence.
When it is taught
- First met
- Year 6
- On the pupil word list
- Year 6, as “synonym”
Year 6 teaches how words are related by meaning as synonyms and antonyms (big, large, little), and the difference between informal and formal vocabulary (ask for, request).
Try a question
Which word is closest in meaning to brave? Tick one.
- scared
- bold
- angry
- quiet
Show the answer
Answer: bold
A bold person is willing to take risks, like a brave one. Scared is closer to an antonym.
Practise it
A short quiz where your child picks the synonym of each word.
Related terms
- Read more: 11 Plus Vocabulary: Word List and How to Learn It
- Practise the 11+ skill: Select a synonym
More grammar terms
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between a synonym and an antonym?
Synonyms mean the same (big, large). Antonyms mean the opposite (big, little).
Do synonyms come up in the 11+?
Many 11+ verbal reasoning and English papers include questions asking for the word closest in meaning, so a wide vocabulary helps.
Is there a perfect synonym for every word?
Rarely. Most synonyms differ a little in strength or formality, which is why writers choose between them.
Grammar turns up in 11+ English too
Many 11+ English papers include grammar and punctuation questions alongside comprehension. The free diagnostic checks maths, English and both kinds of reasoning, and shows what to practise next. No card is required.