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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. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  4. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  5. My mare is ________________ in color.
  6. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  9. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. That was a fun ________________.
  12. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  13. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  14. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. The tickets are free of ________________.
  19. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  23. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. branch — of a bank
  4. staff — employees
  5. bay — a horse colour
  6. game — a kind of play
  7. charge — in control
  8. charge — electricity
  9. game — wild animals
  10. bulb — for light
  11. game — a match
  12. branch — a division
  13. staff — a stick
  14. squash — the vegetable
  15. can — to be able to
  16. can — a tin
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. charge — a price
  19. squash — to crush
  20. can — a tin
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. squash — the sport
  23. staff — employees
  24. bulb — for light

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