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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: fine · fan · track · branch · suit · current · rash · bay

  1. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  2. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  8. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  9. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  20. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. Don't do anything ________________.
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  24. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. fine — high quality
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. rash — a series
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. branch — a division
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. track — a path
  10. current — electric
  11. suit — clothes
  12. bay — to keep at bay
  13. suit — to fit
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. track — to keep track
  16. fine — all right
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. suit — in cards
  19. branch — of a tree
  20. track — a song
  21. current — happening now
  22. rash — hasty
  23. current — of water
  24. fan — a supporter

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