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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.

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: mouse · straw · branch · pass · bulb · lash · bay · charge

  1. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  2. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  5. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  9. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. My mare is ________________ in color.
  20. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  21. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  22. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.

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

Answer key

  1. straw — a straw man
  2. straw — dry grass
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. lash — an eyelash
  5. branch — a division
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. bulb — for light
  8. bay — a part of the sea
  9. branch — of a tree
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. bulb — for light
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. branch — of a bank
  14. charge — electricity
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. charge — a price
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. pass — a permit
  19. bay — a horse colour
  20. mouse — for a computer
  21. charge — in control
  22. straw — to clutch at straws
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. bulb — of a plant

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