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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
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: foot · spell · lie · ruler · lash · current · swing · branch

  1. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  8. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  9. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  10. How do you ________________ your surname?
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  16. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  17. David sat on the ________________.
  18. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  19. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  22. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  23. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. current — electric
  3. branch — a division
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. current — happening now
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. branch — of a tree
  8. spell — a short time
  9. swing — music
  10. spell — letters
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. foot — a measure
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. foot — the bottom
  16. current — of water
  17. swing — to play on
  18. spell — magic
  19. swing — in golf
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. foot — part of the body
  22. lash — an eyelash
  23. branch — of a bank
  24. lie — an untruth

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