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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. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  2. When was this ________________ built?
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  5. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  6. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  7. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  8. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  9. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  10. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  13. My mare is ________________ in color.
  14. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  15. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  16. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  17. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  18. Have you met the new head ________________?
  19. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  20. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  23. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — a division
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. bay — a part of the sea
  5. wake — a trail
  6. bay — to keep at bay
  7. wake — to stop sleeping
  8. branch — of a tree
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. rush — hurry
  12. pitch — a sports field
  13. bay — a horse colour
  14. rush — to hurry
  15. pitch — a sales talk
  16. branch — of a bank
  17. coach — pulled by horses
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. temple — side of the head
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. wake — before a funeral
  23. pitch — completely
  24. temple — a place of worship

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