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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. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  9. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  10. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  11. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  21. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  24. The light ________________ burned out.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. deal — a big deal
  4. plane — a tool
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. key — the most important part
  7. lie — to recline
  8. branch — of a tree
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. hide — to keep secret
  11. hide — animal skin
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. plane — in geometry
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. key — in music
  16. key — for a lock
  17. safe — a strongbox
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. bulb — for light
  20. branch — a division
  21. deal — to handle
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. bulb — for light

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