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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
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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: branch · lash · mate · bound · club · foot · current · safe

  1. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  2. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  3. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. That was ________________ to happen.
  6. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  7. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  8. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  9. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  12. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  13. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  14. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  15. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. Have you found your soul ________________?
  24. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — tied together
  2. branch — a division
  3. bound — obliged
  4. current — of water
  5. bound — certain
  6. foot — a measure
  7. lash — an eyelash
  8. club — for golf
  9. branch — of a tree
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. branch — of a bank
  12. foot — part of the body
  13. lash — to lash out
  14. club — a group
  15. foot — the bottom
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. mate — a friend
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. mate — to breed
  20. current — happening now
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. current — electric
  23. mate — a partner
  24. club — for dancing

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