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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. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  2. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  3. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  4. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  5. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  6. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  7. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  8. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  9. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  12. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  13. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  14. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  15. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  16. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  17. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  18. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  21. Did you ________________ the meat?
  22. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  23. How do you ________________ your surname?
  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. bank — for money
  2. branch — of a tree
  3. bank — of a river
  4. branch — of a bank
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. wound — an injury
  7. season — in sport
  8. hide — animal skin
  9. spell — a short time
  10. suit — to fit
  11. lie — to recline
  12. season — of the year
  13. wound — an injury
  14. bank — for money
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. wound — past of 'wind'
  17. spell — magic
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. suit — in cards
  20. branch — a division
  21. season — to add flavour
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. spell — letters
  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