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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. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  3. She's very handy with a ________________.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  9. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  10. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  19. He works in a ________________ mill.
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  22. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  23. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. branch — of a tree
  3. saw — the tool
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. suit — to fit
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. club — for golf
  9. club — for dancing
  10. club — a group
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. branch — of a bank
  13. suit — in cards
  14. craft — a handicraft
  15. rock — music
  16. bulb — for light
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. craft — boats
  19. saw — the tool
  20. bulb — for light
  21. rock — a stone
  22. branch — a division
  23. craft — a skill
  24. suit — clothes

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