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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. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  4. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  5. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  6. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  7. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  14. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  15. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  16. We're almost out of ________________.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  19. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  23. You don't need to ________________ round.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. object — an aim
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. branch — of a bank
  4. bass — the instrument
  5. staff — employees
  6. pop — music
  7. bass — low music
  8. suit — to fit
  9. branch — a division
  10. suit — in cards
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. object — a thing
  14. staff — employees
  15. branch — of a tree
  16. pop — soda
  17. lie — to recline
  18. staff — a stick
  19. bass — the fish
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. suit — clothes
  22. object — to protest
  23. pop — to visit
  24. lie — an untruth

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