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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: pass · fan · ruler · racket · branch · jam · bank · ball

  1. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  2. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  3. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  4. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  5. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  12. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  17. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  20. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. The King held a masked ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — a division
  2. bank — of a river
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. branch — of a tree
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. pass — a permit
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. jam — in traffic
  12. branch — of a bank
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. racket — a loud noise
  17. ball — a great time
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. bank — for money
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. bank — for money
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. ball — a dance

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