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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 · lash · mug · branch · mouse · charge · rash · saw

  1. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  2. She's very handy with a ________________.
  3. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  4. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  5. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  6. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  9. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  10. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  14. Don't do anything ________________.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. He works in a ________________ mill.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.

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

Answer key

  1. branch — of a tree
  2. saw — the tool
  3. cue — a hint
  4. rash — a series
  5. branch — a division
  6. saw — past of 'see'
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. charge — electricity
  9. branch — of a bank
  10. charge — in control
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. charge — a price
  13. lash — to lash out
  14. rash — hasty
  15. mug — a cup
  16. mug — a face
  17. saw — the tool
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. mouse — for a computer
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. cue — a signal
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. mug — to rob
  24. cue — for pool

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