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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. You don't need to ________________ round.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  13. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  14. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  15. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  16. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  17. My mare is ________________ in color.
  18. We're almost out of ________________.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. He is an ace ________________.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. Biology is a ________________ of science.

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

Answer key

  1. pop — to visit
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. perch — the fish
  5. mark — a trace
  6. branch — of a bank
  7. mark — a grade
  8. perch — for a bird
  9. plane — a tool
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. pop — music
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. branch — of a tree
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. bay — a part of the sea
  17. bay — a horse colour
  18. pop — soda
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. pitcher — in baseball
  21. pass — a permit
  22. perch — for a bird
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. branch — a division

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