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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 120 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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  9. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  10. I can't ________________ this cold.
  11. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  12. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  13. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. It's one o'clock ________________.
  16. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  19. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  20. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. branch — a division
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. spring — of water
  5. can — to be able to
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. spring — the season
  9. branch — of a bank
  10. stand — to bear
  11. branch — of a tree
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. spring — a coil
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. sharp — exactly
  16. sharp — with an edge
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. hide — animal skin
  20. sharp — clever
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. stand — on your feet
  23. can — a tin
  24. can — a tin

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