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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 120 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: lie · fine · foot · leaves · board · branch · fork · current

  1. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  3. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  13. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  14. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  15. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  20. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  23. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. branch — of a bank
  3. foot — part of the body
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. foot — the bottom
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. current — electric
  9. fine — high quality
  10. foot — a measure
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. fork — to eat with
  13. current — of water
  14. fork — in a road
  15. board — to get on
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. board — a committee
  18. lie — to recline
  19. branch — a division
  20. fine — a penalty
  21. fine — all right
  22. branch — of a tree
  23. fork — a garden tool
  24. leaves — lets stay

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