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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. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  4. Have you met the new head ________________?
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. That was ________________ to happen.
  16. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  19. Did you ________________ the meat?
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  22. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  23. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  24. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. key — in music
  3. branch — a division
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. key — the most important part
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. current — of water
  10. season — in sport
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. bound — obliged
  13. season — of the year
  14. key — for a lock
  15. bound — certain
  16. stick — to attach or keep to
  17. current — electric
  18. branch — of a tree
  19. season — to add flavour
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. bound — tied together
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. coach — pulled by horses
  24. current — happening now

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