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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. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  6. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  7. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  12. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. Where did you ________________ them?
  22. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. branch — of a tree
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. fork — in a road
  6. fork — a garden tool
  7. branch — of a bank
  8. fine — all right
  9. fork — to eat with
  10. bulb — for light
  11. branch — a division
  12. board — a committee
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. plane — a tool
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. scale — for weighing
  17. fine — high quality
  18. board — to get on
  19. mug — a cup
  20. bulb — for light
  21. mug — to rob
  22. scale — size or range
  23. mug — a face
  24. fine — a penalty

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