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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 spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  4. I can't ________________ this cold.
  5. My mare is ________________ in color.
  6. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  7. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  8. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  9. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  13. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  19. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  20. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  21. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  22. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  23. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  24. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. bark — a dog's sound
  4. stand — to bear
  5. bay — a horse colour
  6. key — for a lock
  7. lash — a whip stroke
  8. march — the month
  9. branch — a division
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. branch — of a bank
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. key — in music
  15. key — the most important part
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. branch — of a tree
  19. lash — to lash out
  20. bark — of a tree
  21. march — music
  22. bark — to shout
  23. march — the month
  24. stand — for spectators

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