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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: can · suit · branch · current · wave · track · date · bore

  1. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. Have you settled on a ________________?
  3. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  6. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  16. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  17. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  18. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  23. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  24. Biology is a ________________ of science.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. date — on the calendar
  3. branch — of a bank
  4. can — a tin
  5. bore — gave birth
  6. date — the fruit
  7. suit — in cards
  8. bore — to drill
  9. current — electric
  10. current — happening now
  11. suit — to fit
  12. current — of water
  13. date — on the calendar
  14. can — a tin
  15. wave — of the sea
  16. track — a song
  17. wave — a sudden rise
  18. track — a path
  19. can — to be able to
  20. track — to keep track
  21. suit — clothes
  22. bore — to tire
  23. wave — with your hand
  24. branch — a division

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