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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. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  4. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  5. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  8. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  11. My mare is ________________ in color.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  15. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  16. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  17. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. Have you met the new head ________________?
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  24. It's one o'clock ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. lie — to recline
  4. toast — bread
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. branch — of a tree
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. sharp — clever
  11. bay — a horse colour
  12. board — to get on
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. bay — a part of the sea
  15. board — a committee
  16. sharp — with an edge
  17. branch — a division
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. board — a flat piece
  20. deal — to handle
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. coach — pulled by horses
  24. sharp — exactly

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