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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: lie · racket · firm · coach · pit · rash · branch · rock

  1. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. Have you met the new head ________________?
  5. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  6. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  7. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  10. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  11. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  12. Don't do anything ________________.
  13. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  14. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  15. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  16. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  17. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  22. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  23. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  24. He hit the ball with his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. racket — for tennis
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. branch — of a bank
  6. rash — on the skin
  7. coach — pulled by horses
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. firm — steady
  10. racket — a loud noise
  11. firm — decided
  12. rash — hasty
  13. pit — a hole
  14. rash — a series
  15. pit — in a race
  16. branch — a division
  17. pit — a fruit stone
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. lie — to recline
  20. rock — music
  21. rock — a stone
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. firm — a company
  24. racket — for tennis

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