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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: jam · stand · safe · racket · stock · charge · branch · lie

  1. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  6. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  9. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  10. I can't ________________ this cold.
  11. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  12. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  15. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  18. The ________________ market has crashed.
  19. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  20. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  23. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. stock — goods
  6. charge — electricity
  7. lie — to recline
  8. stock — a soup base
  9. stand — on your feet
  10. stand — to bear
  11. branch — of a tree
  12. racket — a loud noise
  13. charge — in control
  14. branch — a division
  15. jam — in traffic
  16. charge — a price
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. stock — shares
  19. jam — to spread on bread
  20. racket — for tennis
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. stand — for spectators
  23. jam — a tight spot
  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