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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  3. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  4. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  5. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  6. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  7. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  8. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  9. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  12. Did you ________________ the meat?
  13. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  14. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  15. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  16. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  17. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  18. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  19. When was this ________________ built?
  20. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  21. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  22. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  23. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  24. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. perch — for a bird
  3. foot — part of the body
  4. firm — steady
  5. branch — a division
  6. branch — of a tree
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. firm — a company
  9. root — of a word
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. season — to add flavour
  13. foot — the bottom
  14. root — the cause
  15. season — in sport
  16. perch — the fish
  17. firm — decided
  18. season — of the year
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. foot — a measure
  21. branch — of a bank
  22. temple — side of the head
  23. root — of a plant
  24. bay — a part of the sea

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