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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: mate · rock · saw · leaves · branch · bay · bulb · deal

  1. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. My mare is ________________ in color.
  6. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  9. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  10. He works in a ________________ mill.
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  13. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. Have you found your soul ________________?
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. bulb — for light
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. bay — a horse colour
  6. branch — a division
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. branch — of a tree
  9. deal — to handle
  10. saw — the tool
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. mate — a friend
  13. mate — to breed
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. rock — a stone
  16. branch — of a bank
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. mate — a partner
  20. bulb — for light
  21. rock — music
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. saw — the tool
  24. deal — a big deal

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