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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.

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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: wake · suit · rush · branch · mark · toast · bank · cabinet

  1. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  4. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  5. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  15. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. What do you think of the new ________________?
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. wake — a trail
  2. bank — for money
  3. bank — for money
  4. bank — of a river
  5. branch — of a bank
  6. toast — bread
  7. toast — a drink to someone
  8. mark — a grade
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. wake — before a funeral
  11. suit — to fit
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. branch — of a tree
  15. wake — to stop sleeping
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. mark — a trace
  21. branch — a division
  22. rush — hurry
  23. suit — in cards
  24. suit — clothes

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