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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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  5. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  6. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  9. He works in a ________________ mill.
  10. That must've been a ________________.
  11. She's very handy with a ________________.
  12. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  13. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. Have you found your soul ________________?
  23. The ________________ took off on time.
  24. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. branch — of a bank
  3. key — in music
  4. branch — of a tree
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. branch — a division
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. key — the most important part
  9. saw — the tool
  10. rush — a thrill
  11. saw — the tool
  12. mate — to breed
  13. mate — a friend
  14. plane — a tool
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. key — for a lock
  18. saw — past of 'see'
  19. cue — a hint
  20. rush — hurry
  21. cue — a signal
  22. mate — a partner
  23. plane — an aircraft
  24. cue — for pool

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