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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: bass · cue · key · club · leaves · pass · root · branch

  1. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  4. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  8. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  12. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  21. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  24. I play ________________ in a jazz band.

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

Answer key

  1. root — of a plant
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. cue — a signal
  4. branch — of a bank
  5. root — the cause
  6. pass — a permit
  7. cue — for pool
  8. cue — a hint
  9. key — the most important part
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. branch — a division
  12. club — for golf
  13. key — in music
  14. club — for dancing
  15. key — for a lock
  16. bass — low music
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. bass — the fish
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. club — a group
  21. root — of a word
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. branch — of a tree
  24. bass — the instrument

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