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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: can · branch · cue · mug · key · kick · saw · pit

  1. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  5. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  6. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  7. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  15. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. She's very handy with a ________________.
  18. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  19. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  20. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  21. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  22. This piece is in a major ________________.
  23. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  24. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. pit — a fruit stone
  3. key — the most important part
  4. branch — of a tree
  5. pit — in a race
  6. saw — past of 'see'
  7. branch — a division
  8. can — a tin
  9. branch — of a bank
  10. can — to be able to
  11. kick — in football
  12. mug — to rob
  13. mug — a face
  14. cue — for pool
  15. pit — a hole
  16. can — a tin
  17. saw — the tool
  18. key — for a lock
  19. kick — a thrill
  20. cue — a signal
  21. cue — a hint
  22. key — in music
  23. mug — a cup
  24. kick — with a leg

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