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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  13. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  14. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  23. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. rock — a stone
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. perch — the fish
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. can — a tin
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. rock — music
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. current — happening now
  11. current — electric
  12. branch — of a tree
  13. chip — in a computer
  14. branch — a division
  15. can — to be able to
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. plane — a tool
  18. rush — hurry
  19. chip — to eat
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. current — of water
  22. perch — for a bird
  23. chip — for betting
  24. can — a tin

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