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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: scale · degree · pitch · branch · rock · ruler · leaves · dip

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  8. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  9. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  10. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  13. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  14. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  15. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  18. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. dip — to sink
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. degree — an amount
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. pitch — completely
  8. branch — a division
  9. branch — of a bank
  10. dip — to dunk
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. scale — in music
  13. branch — of a tree
  14. scale — for weighing
  15. pitch — a sports field
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. pitch — a sales talk
  18. scale — size or range
  19. rock — a stone
  20. dip — a sauce
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. degree — temperature
  23. rock — music
  24. degree — from a university

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