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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. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  3. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  4. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  5. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  6. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  7. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  8. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  16. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  17. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  18. We're almost out of ________________.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  21. You don't need to ________________ round.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. David sat on the ________________.
  24. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. row — a line
  3. drill — army training
  4. branch — a division
  5. row — to paddle
  6. charge — electricity
  7. drill — the tool
  8. swing — music
  9. suit — to fit
  10. charge — a price
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. charge — in control
  13. drill — a practice
  14. suit — in cards
  15. swing — in golf
  16. branch — of a bank
  17. row — a quarrel
  18. pop — soda
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. pop — music
  21. pop — to visit
  22. suit — clothes
  23. swing — to play on
  24. leaves — to go away

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