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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. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  2. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  3. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  7. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  8. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. What do you think of the new ________________?
  16. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  19. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  20. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  24. Biology is a ________________ of science.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — lets stay
  2. track — a path
  3. branch — of a bank
  4. suit — to fit
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. stem — a stem cell
  7. stem — of a plant
  8. charge — in control
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. degree — from a university
  11. charge — electricity
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. degree — temperature
  14. suit — in cards
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. branch — of a tree
  17. suit — clothes
  18. stem — to come from
  19. degree — an amount
  20. track — a song
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. charge — a price
  23. track — to keep track
  24. branch — a division

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