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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 has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  3. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  4. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  5. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  6. The King held a masked ________________.
  7. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  8. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  9. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  10. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  11. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  12. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  13. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  16. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  17. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  18. False peace will not ________________.
  19. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  20. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  21. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  22. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  23. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. branch — of a tree
  3. ball — a great time
  4. bank — for money
  5. ball — a round shape
  6. ball — a dance
  7. stem — of a plant
  8. fork — in a road
  9. last — finally
  10. fork — a garden tool
  11. stem — to come from
  12. bank — for money
  13. branch — of a bank
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. pitch — completely
  16. bank — of a river
  17. stem — a stem cell
  18. last — to go on
  19. fork — to eat with
  20. branch — a division
  21. last — final
  22. pitch — a sports field
  23. pitch — a sales talk
  24. safe — out of danger

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