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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. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  8. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  13. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  16. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  22. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. prune — to trim
  3. suit — clothes
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. can — a tin
  6. current — happening now
  7. rush — hurry
  8. branch — of a bank
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. branch — a division
  11. can — to be able to
  12. rest — a break
  13. current — of water
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. rest — what's left
  16. rest — what's left
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. current — electric
  19. suit — to fit
  20. can — a tin
  21. prune — the fruit
  22. branch — of a tree
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. prune — to trim

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