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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: leaves · branch · squash · key · pass · jam · mug · lie

  1. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  10. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  15. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  22. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  23. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  24. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. squash — the sport
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. lie — to recline
  6. key — in music
  7. key — the most important part
  8. mug — a cup
  9. branch — of a bank
  10. branch — of a tree
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. jam — in traffic
  15. jam — to spread on bread
  16. key — for a lock
  17. branch — a division
  18. mug — a face
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. mug — to rob
  21. squash — to crush
  22. jam — a tight spot
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. squash — the vegetable

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