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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.

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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: dip · wake · press · track · fan · bay · branch · bound

  1. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. That was ________________ to happen.
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  7. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  8. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  9. Did you ________________ the button?
  10. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  11. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  12. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  13. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  19. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  20. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  21. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  22. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  23. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  24. Biology is a ________________ of science.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — a sauce
  2. dip — to sink
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. bound — certain
  5. press — newspapers
  6. bound — obliged
  7. branch — of a tree
  8. press — a publisher
  9. press — to push
  10. bound — tied together
  11. wake — to stop sleeping
  12. wake — before a funeral
  13. bay — a part of the sea
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. track — a song
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. branch — of a bank
  19. dip — to dunk
  20. track — a path
  21. track — to keep track
  22. fan — to cool the air
  23. wake — a trail
  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