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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 120 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. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  9. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  10. Have you found your soul ________________?
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. Did you ________________ the meat?
  20. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  21. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  22. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  23. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. branch — of a bank
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. dip — a sauce
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. season — in sport
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. branch — a division
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. mate — a partner
  11. rock — music
  12. mate — a friend
  13. rock — a stone
  14. pass — a permit
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. season — of the year
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. season — to add flavour
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. dip — to dunk
  22. branch — of a tree
  23. mate — to breed
  24. leaves — lets stay

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