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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. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  2. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  3. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  7. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  8. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  13. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  16. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  17. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  18. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. The ________________ market has crashed.
  21. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  22. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. chip — in a computer
  3. branch — of a tree
  4. suit — clothes
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. bear — the animal
  8. branch — a division
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. bear — to put up with
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. lash — an eyelash
  13. branch — of a bank
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. lash — a whip stroke
  16. stock — goods
  17. stock — a soup base
  18. chip — to eat
  19. suit — to fit
  20. stock — shares
  21. chip — for betting
  22. fan — to cool the air
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. suit — in cards

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