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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.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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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. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  2. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  3. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  4. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  5. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  6. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  7. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  8. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  9. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  18. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  19. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  20. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  21. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  22. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — to put up with
  2. bay — a part of the sea
  3. branch — of a tree
  4. bear — the animal
  5. branch — a division
  6. bay — to keep at bay
  7. bass — the fish
  8. bass — the instrument
  9. squash — the vegetable
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. charge — a price
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. squash — to crush
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. march — music
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. bear — the animal
  18. march — the month
  19. bass — low music
  20. branch — of a bank
  21. march — the month
  22. squash — the sport
  23. charge — electricity
  24. charge — in control

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