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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 116 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. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  4. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  5. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  11. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  12. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  15. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  16. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  17. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  20. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  21. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  24. Biology is a ________________ of science.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. press — newspapers
  3. wax — to grow
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. file — a tool
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. snap — to snap out of it
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. press — a publisher
  12. branch — of a bank
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. rush — to hurry
  15. snap — to speak sharply
  16. wax — in the ear
  17. file — a document
  18. rush — hurry
  19. stick — to attach or keep to
  20. snap — to click
  21. file — a line of people
  22. press — to push
  23. wax — for sculpting
  24. branch — a division

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