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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
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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: branch · degree · bowl · suit · mouse · safe · roll · content

  1. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  2. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  3. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. We're on a ________________ here.
  6. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  7. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  8. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  11. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  12. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  13. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  14. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  15. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  22. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  23. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  24. Is it ________________ for us to be here?

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

Answer key

  1. branch — a division
  2. roll — a cake
  3. content — videos and posts
  4. suit — clothes
  5. roll — on a roll
  6. bowl — a dish
  7. bowl — to roll
  8. bowl — a football final
  9. suit — to fit
  10. mouse — for a computer
  11. degree — temperature
  12. branch — of a bank
  13. degree — from a university
  14. degree — an amount
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. branch — of a tree
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. content — happy
  20. suit — in cards
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. content — the amount
  23. roll — a list
  24. safe — out of danger

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