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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: track · rash · object · trunk · cabinet · branch · mark · lash

  1. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  8. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  9. Don't do anything ________________.
  10. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  11. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  14. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  17. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  20. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  21. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  24. I've got the luggage in my ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a bank
  2. rash — a series
  3. track — to keep track
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. mark — a trace
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. lash — an eyelash
  8. object — an aim
  9. rash — hasty
  10. branch — a division
  11. trunk — of a tree
  12. object — to protest
  13. lash — a whip stroke
  14. object — a thing
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. track — a path
  17. trunk — of an elephant
  18. mark — a grade
  19. rash — on the skin
  20. branch — of a tree
  21. cabinet — a cupboard
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. track — a song
  24. trunk — of a car

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