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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: cue · nail · firm · jam · rock · scale · branch · rest

  1. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  6. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  7. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  10. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  11. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  12. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  13. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  14. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  15. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  16. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  20. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  21. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  22. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. rest — what's left
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. cue — a signal
  6. rest — a break
  7. scale — for weighing
  8. cue — for pool
  9. jam — a tight spot
  10. branch — a division
  11. scale — size or range
  12. rock — a stone
  13. branch — of a bank
  14. nail — on a finger
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. rest — what's left
  17. rock — music
  18. cue — a hint
  19. firm — steady
  20. scale — in music
  21. firm — decided
  22. firm — a company
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  24. rock — to move gently

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