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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 120 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. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  3. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  4. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  5. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  6. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  7. The tickets are free of ________________.
  8. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  9. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  10. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  18. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  19. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  20. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. charge — electricity
  3. lean — to rest against
  4. branch — of a tree
  5. lean — to bend
  6. lean — thin
  7. charge — a price
  8. branch — a division
  9. patient — calm and waiting
  10. rock — a stone
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. patient — a sick person
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. charge — in control
  17. rock — to move gently
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. board — to get on
  20. branch — of a bank
  21. board — a committee
  22. board — a flat piece
  23. rock — music
  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