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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.

Words on the sheet
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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: stand · suit · charge · branch · squash · chair · calf · pass

  1. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. The tickets are free of ________________.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  9. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  10. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  16. I can't ________________ this cold.
  17. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  18. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  19. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  20. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  21. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  22. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  23. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  24. Biology is a ________________ of science.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. charge — a price
  4. suit — clothes
  5. pass — a permit
  6. charge — in control
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. squash — to crush
  9. branch — of a bank
  10. branch — of a tree
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. squash — the sport
  14. suit — to fit
  15. squash — the vegetable
  16. stand — to bear
  17. charge — electricity
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. chair — a leader
  20. pass — to spend time
  21. chair — to sit on
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. chair — a professorship
  24. branch — a division

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