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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 120 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: can · branch · firm · safe · lean · ground · lie · key

  1. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  2. There's no middle ________________.
  3. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  4. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  5. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  6. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  7. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  8. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. firm — steady
  2. ground — a position
  3. lean — to rest against
  4. branch — a division
  5. branch — of a bank
  6. firm — decided
  7. lean — to bend
  8. firm — a company
  9. key — in music
  10. can — a tin
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. ground — crushed
  13. key — the most important part
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. can — to be able to
  18. lie — to recline
  19. ground — the earth
  20. can — a tin
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. branch — of a tree
  23. lean — thin
  24. key — for a lock

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