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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 hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  10. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  13. Have you met the new head ________________?
  14. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  20. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  21. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  22. My mare is ________________ in color.
  23. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  24. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. suit — in cards
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. lean — to rest against
  5. suit — to fit
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. toast — bread
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. branch — a division
  10. bay — to keep at bay
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. bay — a part of the sea
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. branch — of a bank
  15. mark — a grade
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. suit — clothes
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. branch — of a tree
  20. lean — thin
  21. coach — pulled by horses
  22. bay — a horse colour
  23. toast — the most admired
  24. lean — to bend

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