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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 124 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. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  2. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  3. Don't do anything ________________.
  4. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  5. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  6. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  7. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  8. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  9. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  10. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  11. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  12. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  15. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  19. Did you ________________ the meat?
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  22. The ________________ took off on time.
  23. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  24. Spring is a pleasant ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — size or range
  2. board — to get on
  3. rash — hasty
  4. branch — a division
  5. board — a flat piece
  6. branch — of a bank
  7. plane — in geometry
  8. rest — what's left
  9. scale — for weighing
  10. rash — on the skin
  11. plane — a tool
  12. scale — in music
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. branch — of a tree
  15. rash — a series
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. rest — a break
  19. season — to add flavour
  20. board — a committee
  21. rest — what's left
  22. plane — an aircraft
  23. season — in sport
  24. season — of the year

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