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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. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  2. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  3. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  4. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  5. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  6. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  9. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  14. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  15. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  16. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  17. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  18. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  19. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  20. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. How do you ________________ your surname?
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. She's sitting on a gold ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — a division
  2. firm — decided
  3. charge — in control
  4. spell — a short time
  5. firm — steady
  6. wake — a trail
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. firm — a company
  9. charge — electricity
  10. fine — high quality
  11. branch — of a tree
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. wake — before a funeral
  14. fine — a penalty
  15. wake — to stop sleeping
  16. spell — magic
  17. branch — of a bank
  18. mine — belonging to me
  19. mine — an explosive
  20. fine — all right
  21. lie — to recline
  22. spell — letters
  23. charge — a price
  24. mine — for digging

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