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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.

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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: fine · tube · wound · can · charge · perch · branch · toast

  1. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  4. The tickets are free of ________________.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  7. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  8. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  9. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  14. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  17. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  18. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  19. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  22. I'll be taking the ________________.
  23. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. can — a tin
  3. tube — a container
  4. charge — a price
  5. can — a tin
  6. fine — high quality
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. wound — an injury
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. charge — in control
  12. fine — all right
  13. branch — a division
  14. toast — a drink to someone
  15. charge — electricity
  16. wound — past of 'wind'
  17. wound — an injury
  18. perch — the fish
  19. toast — the most admired
  20. toast — bread
  21. branch — of a bank
  22. tube — the underground
  23. tube — in a tire
  24. can — to be able to

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