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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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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 · rock · pitcher · cue · ruler · nail · ball · suit

  1. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. He is an ace ________________.
  5. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  6. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  7. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  8. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. The King held a masked ________________.
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  14. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  17. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  18. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. The ________________ went through the wall.
  24. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — a jug
  2. rock — a stone
  3. suit — clothes
  4. pitcher — in baseball
  5. nail — on a finger
  6. ball — a great time
  7. branch — a division
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. ball — a dance
  11. cue — a signal
  12. rock — music
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. cue — for pool
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. cue — a hint
  17. ball — a round shape
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. suit — to fit
  20. branch — of a tree
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. suit — in cards
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. branch — of a bank

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