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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. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  4. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  5. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  6. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  7. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  11. How do you ________________ your surname?
  12. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  13. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  14. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  17. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  18. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. Did you ________________ the button?
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. press — newspapers
  3. chip — for betting
  4. prune — the fruit
  5. pitch — completely
  6. press — a publisher
  7. branch — of a tree
  8. rush — hurry
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. pitch — a sales talk
  11. spell — letters
  12. branch — a division
  13. spell — a short time
  14. spell — magic
  15. chip — to eat
  16. prune — to trim
  17. prune — to trim
  18. pitch — a sports field
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. chip — in a computer
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. press — to push
  24. rush — to hurry

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