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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 116 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: safe · branch · suit · can · degree · rock · calf · pass

  1. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. rock — music
  4. pass — a permit
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. suit — to fit
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. branch — a division
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. can — a tin
  11. branch — of a bank
  12. suit — clothes
  13. can — to be able to
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. rock — a stone
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. degree — from a university
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. degree — an amount
  20. can — a tin
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. suit — in cards
  24. degree — temperature

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