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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.

Make a worksheet

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: content · row · root · branch · mug · arm · safe · pitcher

  1. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  2. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  3. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  4. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  5. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  6. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  10. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  11. He is an ace ________________.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  15. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  16. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  17. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  18. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  19. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. My father caught me by the ________________.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  24. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. content — the amount
  3. row — to paddle
  4. content — videos and posts
  5. branch — of a tree
  6. root — of a word
  7. mug — a cup
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. arm — a part of something
  10. branch — a division
  11. pitcher — in baseball
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. row — a quarrel
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. root — of a plant
  17. root — the cause
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. mug — to rob
  21. arm — part of the body
  22. mug — a face
  23. content — happy
  24. row — a line

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