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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. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  5. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  6. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  9. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  10. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  11. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  12. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  13. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  18. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  19. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  22. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. mark — to pay attention
  5. cap — of ice
  6. bay — to keep at bay
  7. deal — to handle
  8. branch — of a tree
  9. bank — for money
  10. branch — of a bank
  11. bank — of a river
  12. cap — a hat
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. bank — for money
  18. cap — a lid
  19. mark — a trace
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. bay — a part of the sea
  22. branch — a division
  23. lie — to recline
  24. deal — an agreement

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