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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 120 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. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  2. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  3. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  4. That must've been a ________________.
  5. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  6. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  9. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  10. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  14. Have you met the new head ________________?
  15. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  16. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  17. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  18. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  19. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  20. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  21. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  22. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. rest — what's left
  3. branch — a division
  4. rush — a thrill
  5. board — a flat piece
  6. branch — of a tree
  7. lie — to recline
  8. lean — to rest against
  9. vault — an arched ceiling
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. rush — hurry
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. rest — what's left
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. board — a committee
  16. lean — to bend
  17. coach — pulled by horses
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. board — to get on
  20. vault — in gymnastics
  21. vault — a safe
  22. rest — a break
  23. lean — thin
  24. coach — a trainer

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