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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. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  6. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  7. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  8. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  13. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  14. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  19. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  20. We're on a ________________ here.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. pass — a permit
  5. trunk — of a tree
  6. trunk — of a car
  7. leaves — to go away
  8. roll — a list
  9. mark — a trace
  10. toast — bread
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. trunk — of an elephant
  13. mark — a grade
  14. branch — of a bank
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. roll — a cake
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. branch — a division
  19. branch — of a tree
  20. roll — on a roll
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. temple — a place of worship
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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