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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. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  5. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  6. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  12. It's one o'clock ________________.
  13. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  14. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  17. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  20. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  21. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  24. Did you ________________ the meat?

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. sharp — with an edge
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. branch — a division
  5. season — of the year
  6. sharp — clever
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. mouse — for a computer
  9. pass — a permit
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. branch — of a bank
  12. sharp — exactly
  13. bowl — to roll
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. rule — a law
  17. rule — government
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. rule — to rule out
  20. bowl — a dish
  21. season — in sport
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. bowl — a football final
  24. season — to add flavour

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