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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.

Make a worksheet

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
468
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: branch · lie · suit · jam · cabinet · press · lash · safe

  1. What do you think of the new ________________?
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  6. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. Did you ________________ the button?
  10. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  11. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  24. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. suit — in cards
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. jam — to spread on bread
  6. branch — of a bank
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. press — to push
  10. lie — to recline
  11. branch — of a tree
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. press — a publisher
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. suit — clothes
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. lash — to lash out
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. branch — a division
  22. suit — to fit
  23. press — newspapers
  24. lie — an untruth

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