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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 · charge · track · racket · ruler · cabinet · scale · fork

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  4. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  5. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  6. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  9. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  12. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  13. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  18. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  19. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  20. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  21. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  22. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. The tickets are free of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. track — a song
  4. fork — in a road
  5. track — a path
  6. track — to keep track
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. scale — size or range
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. branch — of a bank
  12. racket — for tennis
  13. scale — for weighing
  14. charge — electricity
  15. charge — in control
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. fork — a garden tool
  18. branch — of a tree
  19. racket — a loud noise
  20. racket — for tennis
  21. fork — to eat with
  22. branch — a division
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. charge — a price

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