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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: suit · mug · branch · toast · calf · cap · bear · current

  1. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  2. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  3. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  4. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  7. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  11. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  12. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  13. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. branch — a division
  3. cap — a lid
  4. bear — the animal
  5. suit — to fit
  6. bear — the animal
  7. toast — the most admired
  8. mug — to rob
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. mug — a face
  11. bear — to put up with
  12. cap — of ice
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. branch — of a tree
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. suit — in cards
  18. current — electric
  19. suit — clothes
  20. mug — a cup
  21. current — happening now
  22. current — of water
  23. cap — a hat
  24. toast — bread

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