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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
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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 · pit · mug · deal · pass · safe · nail · tube

  1. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  2. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  4. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  5. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  6. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  7. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  8. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  11. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. I'll be taking the ________________.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. The ________________ went through the wall.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  23. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — to handle
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. pit — a hole
  4. branch — of a tree
  5. tube — in a tire
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. branch — of a bank
  8. tube — a container
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. pit — in a race
  11. branch — a division
  12. mug — a face
  13. tube — the underground
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. pass — a permit
  16. mug — to rob
  17. mug — a cup
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. pit — a fruit stone
  23. nail — on a finger
  24. deal — an agreement

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