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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. It's one o'clock ________________.
  2. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  3. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  13. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  14. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  15. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  16. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — exactly
  2. branch — of a bank
  3. branch — a division
  4. key — in music
  5. current — electric
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. patient — a sick person
  8. key — for a lock
  9. mark — a trace
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. key — the most important part
  13. branch — of a tree
  14. lie — to recline
  15. sharp — clever
  16. sharp — with an edge
  17. mark — a grade
  18. current — of water
  19. current — happening now
  20. patient — calm and waiting
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. patient — a sick person

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