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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 116 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. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  7. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  8. The ________________ went through the wall.
  9. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  10. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  13. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  14. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  24. We were using a ________________ as a seat.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. branch — of a bank
  4. suit — to fit
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. branch — a division
  7. wake — a trail
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. lean — to bend
  10. lean — thin
  11. suit — clothes
  12. nail — on a finger
  13. lean — to rest against
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. rock — music
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. suit — in cards
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. wake — to stop sleeping
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. wake — before a funeral
  24. rock — a stone

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