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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
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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: current · stand · branch · can · file · board · foot · fork

  1. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  3. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  4. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  7. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  17. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  18. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  19. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  20. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  23. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. file — a document
  3. file — a line of people
  4. branch — of a bank
  5. current — of water
  6. fork — to eat with
  7. current — electric
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. branch — a division
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. can — a tin
  12. board — to get on
  13. stand — to bear
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. can — to be able to
  16. foot — part of the body
  17. fork — in a road
  18. file — a tool
  19. board — a committee
  20. foot — a measure
  21. current — happening now
  22. foot — the bottom
  23. fork — a garden tool
  24. can — a tin

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