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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. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  3. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  9. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  10. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  11. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  12. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  16. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  17. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  18. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  19. The ________________ went through the wall.
  20. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  21. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  24. Biology is a ________________ of science.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. bore — to drill
  3. file — a tool
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. stem — of a plant
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. branch — of a bank
  9. nail — on a finger
  10. bore — gave birth
  11. march — the month
  12. stem — a stem cell
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. pass — a permit
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. file — a line of people
  17. march — music
  18. stem — to come from
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. file — a document
  21. march — the month
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. bore — to tire
  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