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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. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  2. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  6. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  7. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  10. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  13. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. That was ________________ to happen.
  19. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  20. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  23. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  24. What do you think of the new ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. branch — of a tree
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. drill — the tool
  6. cabinet — a cupboard
  7. lash — to lash out
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. drill — a practice
  10. lash — a whip stroke
  11. rock — a stone
  12. lash — an eyelash
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. can — a tin
  15. rock — music
  16. can — a tin
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. bound — certain
  19. bound — tied together
  20. branch — a division
  21. can — to be able to
  22. bound — obliged
  23. drill — army training
  24. cabinet — ministers

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