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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. Did you ________________ the meat?
  5. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  6. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  14. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  15. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  16. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  17. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  18. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. staff — employees
  3. suit — to fit
  4. season — to add flavour
  5. season — in sport
  6. track — to keep track
  7. suit — clothes
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. lie — an untruth
  10. suit — in cards
  11. season — of the year
  12. can — a tin
  13. branch — of a bank
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. track — a song
  16. staff — a stick
  17. track — a path
  18. branch — a division
  19. can — a tin
  20. lie — to recline
  21. fine — all right
  22. staff — employees
  23. fine — high quality
  24. can — to be able to

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com