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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.

Make a worksheet

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
468
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 · branch · arm · bowl · key · fan · calf · content

  1. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  2. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  3. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  4. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  5. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  6. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  7. My father caught me by the ________________.
  8. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  9. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  12. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. This piece is in a major ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — a division
  2. content — the amount
  3. content — videos and posts
  4. fan — to cool the air
  5. branch — of a bank
  6. bowl — to roll
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. content — happy
  10. key — for a lock
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. bowl — a football final
  13. suit — in cards
  14. key — the most important part
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. suit — clothes
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. branch — of a tree
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. arm — a part of something
  21. suit — to fit
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. key — in music

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