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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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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 · bowl · lie · pass · sharp · object · craft · lean

  1. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  2. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  3. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  4. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  5. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. It's one o'clock ________________.
  9. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  10. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  13. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  14. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  15. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  16. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  17. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  18. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  21. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  22. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  23. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  24. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.

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

Answer key

  1. object — a thing
  2. bowl — a football final
  3. branch — of a tree
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. branch — a division
  6. pass — a permit
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. sharp — exactly
  9. lie — to recline
  10. craft — a skill
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. craft — a handicraft
  13. lean — to rest against
  14. bowl — a dish
  15. object — to protest
  16. craft — boats
  17. lean — to bend
  18. sharp — with an edge
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. lean — thin
  21. branch — of a bank
  22. object — an aim
  23. sharp — clever
  24. bowl — to roll

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