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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: rush · face · mate · jam · stick · branch · lash · bank

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  6. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  9. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  10. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  11. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  12. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  13. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  14. Have you found your soul ________________?
  15. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  16. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  17. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  20. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  21. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  24. Tom got himself in a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. branch — a division
  4. bank — for money
  5. bank — of a river
  6. face — to point toward
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. lash — a whip stroke
  9. lash — an eyelash
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. branch — of a bank
  12. mate — to breed
  13. lash — to lash out
  14. mate — a partner
  15. face — part of the head
  16. jam — in traffic
  17. face — to confront
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. branch — of a tree
  21. jam — to spread on bread
  22. rush — hurry
  23. mate — a friend
  24. jam — a tight spot

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