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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 116 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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. The tickets are free of ________________.
  6. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  9. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  10. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  11. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  16. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  17. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  18. Did you ________________ the meat?
  19. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  20. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  21. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. branch — of a bank
  3. suit — to fit
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. charge — a price
  6. bank — for money
  7. charge — in control
  8. trunk — of an elephant
  9. wound — an injury
  10. season — of the year
  11. trunk — of a tree
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. suit — in cards
  14. suit — clothes
  15. wound — past of 'wind'
  16. trunk — of a car
  17. branch — of a tree
  18. season — to add flavour
  19. wound — an injury
  20. season — in sport
  21. branch — a division
  22. charge — electricity
  23. bank — of a river
  24. bank — for money

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