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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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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. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  2. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  5. You don't need to ________________ round.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  11. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. We're almost out of ________________.
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. rest — what's left
  2. branch — of a bank
  3. suit — in cards
  4. racket — for tennis
  5. pop — to visit
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. branch — of a tree
  8. suit — to fit
  9. suit — clothes
  10. rest — what's left
  11. rest — a break
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. pop — music
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. pop — soda
  16. current — happening now
  17. racket — for tennis
  18. rush — hurry
  19. racket — a loud noise
  20. current — electric
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. current — of water
  23. branch — a division
  24. rush — to hurry

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