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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.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: branch · stick · lean · ruler · mug · toast · pitcher · key

  1. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  2. He is an ace ________________.
  3. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  4. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  17. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  21. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  22. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. pitcher — in baseball
  3. lean — thin
  4. pitcher — a jug
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. mug — to rob
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. key — for a lock
  9. stick — to attach or keep to
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. pitcher — a jug
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. key — the most important part
  14. branch — of a tree
  15. mug — a face
  16. branch — a division
  17. lean — to bend
  18. key — in music
  19. mug — a cup
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. lean — to rest against
  22. branch — of a bank
  23. toast — bread
  24. ruler — a monarch

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