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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. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  4. My mare is ________________ in color.
  5. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  6. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. Don't do anything ________________.
  9. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  10. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  11. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  12. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  13. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  19. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  20. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  21. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. bark — of a tree
  2. object — a thing
  3. net — for catching
  4. bay — a horse colour
  5. jam — a tight spot
  6. bark — to shout
  7. key — in music
  8. rash — hasty
  9. rash — on the skin
  10. charge — electricity
  11. rash — a series
  12. net — in sport
  13. bay — a part of the sea
  14. charge — a price
  15. bark — a dog's sound
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. key — the most important part
  18. object — an aim
  19. net — after costs
  20. charge — in control
  21. bay — to keep at bay
  22. key — for a lock
  23. jam — in traffic
  24. object — to protest

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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