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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. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  2. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  3. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  9. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  13. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  14. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  15. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  16. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  17. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  20. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  21. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  22. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  23. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  24. Boris sat near the fire ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — a division
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. cue — for pool
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. board — to get on
  7. rock — a stone
  8. toast — bread
  9. stick — to attach or keep to
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. cue — a signal
  12. pit — in a race
  13. branch — of a tree
  14. jam — in traffic
  15. cue — a hint
  16. board — a committee
  17. branch — of a bank
  18. rock — music
  19. jam — to spread on bread
  20. jam — a tight spot
  21. toast — a drink to someone
  22. pit — a fruit stone
  23. board — a flat piece
  24. pit — a hole

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