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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 116 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 works in a ________________ mill.
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  6. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  7. He is an ace ________________.
  8. She's very handy with a ________________.
  9. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  10. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  14. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. Don't do anything ________________.
  21. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  22. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  23. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. rash — a series
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. pitcher — a jug
  6. craft — boats
  7. pitcher — in baseball
  8. saw — the tool
  9. branch — a division
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. mug — to rob
  13. branch — of a bank
  14. branch — of a tree
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. craft — a handicraft
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. mug — a cup
  19. lie — to recline
  20. rash — hasty
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. craft — a skill
  24. mug — a face

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